COVID in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

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Updated on February 17, 2022

Information technology is of import for parents and kids to take every possible safety precaution and understand all risks and symptoms related to COVID-19.

Aaron Milstone, M.D., M.H.Due south., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children's Center and an infectious disease good at The Johns Hopkins Infirmary, talks about COVID-19 symptoms in children, how to keep babies and kids safe, the take a chance infected children may pose to others, and an overview of MIS-C, an uncommon but serious status that may be related to exposure to the virus.

What should parents know almost coronavirus variants in babies and children?

Coronavirus variants, including the very contagious omicron variant, continue to spread, particularly in areas with depression rates of community COVID-xix vaccination and amid populations such every bit children under five who cannot nonetheless be vaccinated.

For children too young to be vaccinated (and adults who take not received coronavirus vaccines) it is important to follow proven COVID-19 precautions such as mask wearing when in public, indoor places to reduce the chance of condign infected with the coronavirus.

"Indoor activities are riskier than outdoor activities, but risk can exist reduced by masking, distancing, hand washing, and improved ventilation," Milstone says.
Parents and caregivers should sympathize that children infected with the coronavirus can develop complications requiring hospitalization, and tin transmit the virus to others.

In rare cases, children infected with the coronavirus tin can develop a serious lung infection and become very ill with COVID-nineteen, and deaths have occurred. That'due south why it is of import to use precautions and prevent infection in children as well as adults.

Tin newborns and babies go COVID-nineteen?

It appears that women infected with the coronavirus can, in very rare cases, pass the affliction to her babe. Infants can besides become infected before long after existence built-in. According to the U.Due south. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most newborns who test positive for the coronavirus have mild symptoms or none at all, and recover, but serious cases have occurred. Pregnant women should take extra precautions, including talking to your md about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, to avoid the coronavirus.

In that location is no evidence that the virus causing COVID-19 is present in breast milk but because there is a possibility of spreading COVID-19 during breastfeeding through respiratory droplets, information technology is very important to follow rubber guidelines. Learn more than virtually COVID and breastfeeding.

COVID symptoms in babies, toddlers and children?

Generally, COVID-xix symptoms in kids and babies are milder than those in adults, and some infected children may non have any signs of beingness sick at all.

COVID-19 symptoms for children and adults include:

  • Cough
  • Fever or chills
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Musculus or torso aches
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or olfactory property
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • New fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Congestion or runny nose

Some symptoms of COVID-19 and the influenza are shared and it may be difficult to make up one's mind which of either might be present.

"People with influenza-similar symptoms should be careful about exposing other people and should get tested to meet if they have COVID," says Milstone. "Testing for influenza virus can also be important, as available medicines can assist reduce symptoms in those with influenza."

Fever and cough are mutual COVID-19 symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more than likely to be seen in adults. Children can have pneumonia, with or without obvious symptoms. They can also feel sore throat, excessive fatigue or diarrhea.

Even so, serious illness in children with COVID-19 is possible, and parents should stay alert if their child is diagnosed with, or shows signs of, the disease.

Children with COVID-19: When to Telephone call 911

Parents or guardians should immediately seek urgent or emergency medical care if they detect these alert signs in a kid:

  • Difficulty breathing or catching his or her jiff
  • Inability to keep down any liquids
  • New confusion or disability to awaken
  • Bluish lips
illustration of a superhero punching a germ

Hand-washing and Coronavirus Prevention for Children

Paw-washing — along with limiting exposure to people who are (or might be) ill with COVID-19 — is key to keeping your children healthy. Our expert shares how to properly wash easily and brand it fun for the whole family.

Run a risk Factors for Serious COVID-xix in Children

Data from the CDC written report signal that some children may exist at a higher hazard for a serious case of COVID-19, needing medical care in a infirmary:

  • Those under historic period ii
  • Blackness and Latino children, who tin be affected by health disparities, leaving them unduly vulnerable to severe COVID-xix complications
  • Children who were born prematurely
  • Those living with obesity or chronic lung disease

If y'all retrieve your child is sick with COVID-xix, trust your instinct, especially if the child has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family care practitioner or urgent intendance clinic if y'all don't have a doctor, and follow their instructions carefully regarding isolation and testing.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Doctors have noted that some children may feel a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C after an infection with the coronavirus.

Phone call your family unit doctor or pediatrician right away if your child experiences a fever of 100.four degrees Fahrenheit or more that lasts more than 24 hours and at to the lowest degree 1 of these symptoms:

  • Unusual weakness or fatigue
  • A red rash
  • Intestinal (belly) pain
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Ruby, cracked lips
  • Red eyes
  • Swollen hands or feet

Learn more most MIS-C.

Children with Medical Atmospheric condition

How can immunocompromised kids get the care they need?

Lexie DeLone, a kid life specialist at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, says, "Your child'due south care team is your become-to resource. Information technology's OK to ask your child's doctor about what specific steps they are taking to provide treatment for your child while preventing COVID-19 and if getting your kid vaccinated is appropriate," she says.

Some office visits and follow-ups may exist able to shift to telemedicine, simply other treatments crave your child's concrete presence. "Parents tin can remind children that their treatment is important to keep them healthy, DeLone says. "Older children and teens might be aware of the fact that their bodies could take a harder time fighting the virus if they encounter it.

Parents can reassure them that hospitals are aware of patients' vulnerabilities, and are prepared and using precautions."

Asthma: Children with asthma may have more severe symptoms from COVID-nineteen or any other respiratory disease, including the flu. There are no indications that nigh children with asthma feel severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, but observe them carefully and, if symptoms develop, call the child'south doctor to discuss next steps and to arrange advisable evaluation as needed. Keep your child's medications refilled and take extra intendance to avoid things that fix off asthma attacks in your child.

Diabetes: Control of blood sugar is key. Children with well-managed diabetes are non expected to be more susceptible to COVID-19. But poorly controlled diabetes can weaken the immune organization, and so parents and doctors should watch these children carefully for signs and symptoms that may require evaluation.

How to Protect Your Kids from the Coronavirus and COVID-19

Accept your child vaccinated for COVID

Experts, including those at Johns Hopkins, believe that there are many benefits to vaccinating children for COVID-xix. The CDC recommends vaccines for children five and older.

"The omicron variant is very contagious leaving unimmunized people at high run a risk of infection," says Milstone. "Vaccination reduces risk of infection, but most importantly, significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from this and other variants."

Children age 12 or older who have received both required doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least five months ago can receive a booster shot. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the simply vaccine and booster authorized for individuals ages 12–17.

Children age v and older who accept sure medical conditions associated with immunosuppression tin can receive an additional dose 28 days afterwards their second dose.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and what parents need to know.

Let's Talk Health (Hablemos de Sauld) | The New Normal for Kids: During COVID-19 - Function I

Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-nineteen

While a vaccine may be authorized for children under five in the next few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best manner to go along them safer is to avoid exposing them to people who are (or who might be) sick with the coronavirus, including family unit members. Here are three of the best ways to protect your kids from infection.

Maintain physical distancing. The more than people your kids come in contact with, and the longer the duration of that contact, the college the risk of infection with the coronavirus.

  • Children should stay at least six feet from others outside of their household.
  • Check your kids' day care and schools (if they are open) to ensure concrete distancing measures are in place.
  • Limit in-person play with other children, and be sure the children vesture masks properly.
  • Ensure that children limit close contact with children and adults who are vulnerable, such every bit those with health conditions.

Wearable a mask. Very contagious coronavirus variants are circulating. Mask wearing prevents virus spread and outbreaks. This is one reason why the Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American University of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades M-12, even for those who are fully vaccinated. Data continue to back up the value of masking in schools to forbid infections. Milstone suggests that parents help younger children practice wearing masks before returning to school and then kids are comfortable wearing them in class.

Paw hygiene. Kids should wash their hands after using the bathroom, sneezing, cough or blowing their nose, earlier eating (fifty-fifty snacks) and immediately after coming inside from playing outdoors.

Milstone advises parents to teach kids to wash their hands regularly, with soap and warm water, for at least 20 seconds. "They tin help keep track of time by singing the ABCs, which takes nigh 20 seconds to finish," he says. If soap and water are non bachelor, Milstone says the next best option is manus sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Kids who balk. Milstone says, "If your kid is refusing to wash their hands or becoming very upset when asked to do and so, it might help to give them a small reward, such as a sticker, to celebrate each time they launder their hands. Compliment them for doing a really skillful job while washing their hands." It as well helps when parents set an case past washing their ain hands oftentimes.

5 Tips Kids Need to Know about Covid-19

Kids and families can reduce coronavirus run a risk together

Though in most cases COVID-xix seems to have less serious health consequences for children than for adults, it is important to avoid infection among children. Here's how parents and guardians can help:

Get all your shots. Ensure that all family members receive COVID-19 vaccinations every bit soon as they are eligible, and the aforementioned goes for flu shots and other vaccinations.

Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-nineteen and be on the picket for serious disease in kids.

Coughing and sneeze with care. "Encourage everyone in the family to coughing and sneeze into their elbow, instead of their easily, and to launder their hands afterward each time this occurs," Milstone says. "Throw away tissues after they are used," he adds.

Keep hands off faces. Parents should remind children to avoid touching their face as much every bit possible. Milstone says it can assist if kids conduct a toy that volition proceed their hands busy, but he notes that parents should wash those toys regularly.

Keep things clean. Wipe down toys and surfaces your child touches regularly, especially when traveling or when near a person who is sick. Clean surfaces at abode and store cleaners in cabinets that are either too high for your child to reach or are secured with childproof chiffonier locks.

Accost anxiety and stress. Talking things over as a family can help place specific fears and clarify the facts. It also helps for families to hash out a plan in case someone gets sick or something else happens that interrupts the normal routine.

"Children will look to you lot when deciding how to feel nearly COVID-19. If you feel calm and prepared, they are likely to experience similarly," Milstone notes.

Scientist carefully insets a pipette into a test tube.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What you lot need to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine.