COVID in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

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Updated on Feb 17, 2022

It is important for parents and kids to have every possible safety precaution and understand all risks and symptoms related to COVID-19.

Aaron Milstone, Yard.D., M.H.S., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children'south Middle and an infectious disease expert at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, talks most COVID-xix symptoms in children, how to continue babies and kids safe, the risk infected children may pose to others, and an overview of MIS-C, an uncommon merely serious condition that may be related to exposure to the virus.

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

Coronavirus variants, including the very contagious omicron variant, continue to spread, peculiarly in areas with low rates of community COVID-19 vaccination and among populations such as children under 5 who cannot nevertheless be vaccinated.

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

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

In rare cases, children infected with the coronavirus can develop a serious lung infection and become very ill with COVID-19, and deaths have occurred. That'due south why it is important to employ precautions and preclude infection in children also as adults.

Can newborns and babies get COVID-xix?

It appears that women infected with the coronavirus can, in very rare cases, pass the disease to her baby. Infants can also become infected shortly afterwards being born. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), virtually newborns who test positive for the coronavirus have balmy symptoms or none at all, and recover, but serious cases take occurred. Meaning women should accept extra precautions, including talking to your doctor well-nigh getting a COVID-19 vaccine, to avoid the coronavirus.

There is no show that the virus causing COVID-19 is present in breast milk but considering there is a possibility of spreading COVID-19 during breastfeeding through respiratory droplets, it is very important to follow safety guidelines. Learn more about 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 take whatever signs of beingness sick at all.

COVID-19 symptoms for children and adults include:

  • Cough
  • Fever or chills
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • New fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Congestion or runny nose

Some symptoms of COVID-nineteen and the flu are shared and information technology may exist difficult to make up one's mind which of either might be nowadays.

"People with flu-similar symptoms should be careful almost exposing other people and should get tested to see if they have COVID," says Milstone. "Testing for flu virus can also be important, equally available medicines tin help reduce symptoms in those with flu."

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

Nonetheless, 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-xix: When to Call 911

Parents or guardians should immediately seek urgent or emergency medical care if they notice these warning signs in a child:

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

Hand-washing and Coronavirus Prevention for Children

Hand-washing — along with limiting exposure to people who are (or might be) sick with COVID-19 — is key to keeping your children healthy. Our adept shares how to properly wash hands and brand information technology fun for the whole family.

Risk Factors for Serious COVID-xix in Children

Information from the CDC study indicate that some children may be at a higher risk for a serious case of COVID-19, needing medical care in a hospital:

  • Those under historic period 2
  • Black and Latino children, who can be affected by health disparities, leaving them disproportionately vulnerable to severe COVID-19 complications
  • Children who were built-in prematurely
  • Those living with obesity or chronic lung disease

If you retrieve your child is sick with COVID-19, trust your instinct, especially if the kid has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family intendance practitioner or urgent intendance clinic if you don't have a medico, and follow their instructions carefully regarding isolation and testing.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

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

Call your family unit doctor or pediatrician right away if your child experiences a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more that lasts more than 24 hours and at least i of these symptoms:

  • Unusual weakness or fatigue
  • A scarlet rash
  • Abdominal (belly) pain
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Reddish, cracked lips
  • Ruby eyes
  • Swollen hands or anxiety

Larn more well-nigh MIS-C.

Children with Medical Conditions

How tin can immunocompromised kids get the care they need?

Lexie DeLone, a child life specialist at Johns Hopkins Children's Centre, says, "Your kid's care team is your become-to resources. Information technology's OK to inquire your child'southward doctor near what specific steps they are taking to provide treatment for your child while preventing COVID-19 and if getting your child vaccinated is advisable," she says.

Some role visits and follow-ups may be able to shift to telemedicine, but other treatments require your child's physical presence. "Parents can remind children that their handling is important to keep them healthy, DeLone says. "Older children and teens might be aware of the fact that their bodies could have a harder time fighting the virus if they see 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 astringent symptoms from COVID-19 or whatever other respiratory disease, including the flu. There are no indications that most children with asthma experience severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, but notice them carefully and, if symptoms develop, call the kid's doctor to discuss next steps and to arrange appropriate evaluation as needed. Keep your child'due south medications refilled and take extra care to avoid things that fix off asthma attacks in your child.

Diabetes: Control of claret sugar is key. Children with well-managed diabetes are not expected to be more than susceptible to COVID-19. But poorly controlled diabetes can weaken the immune arrangement, so parents and doctors should scout these children carefully for signs and symptoms that may require evaluation.

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

Have your child vaccinated for COVID

Experts, including those at Johns Hopkins, believe that there are many benefits to vaccinating children for COVID-19. The CDC recommends vaccines for children 5 and older.

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

Children age 12 or older who take received both required doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at to the lowest degree v months ago can receive a booster shot. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine and booster authorized for individuals ages 12–17.

Children historic period 5 and older who have certain medical conditions associated with immunosuppression can receive an additional dose 28 days after their 2nd dose.

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

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Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-19

While a vaccine may be authorized for children under 5 in the next few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best way to keep them safer is to avoid exposing them to people who are (or who might be) sick with the coronavirus, including family members. Hither are three of the best means to protect your kids from infection.

Maintain physical distancing. The more 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 6 feet from others outside of their household.
  • Check your kids' twenty-four hours care and schools (if they are open up) to ensure physical distancing measures are in place.
  • Limit in-person play with other children, and be sure the children article of clothing masks properly.
  • Ensure that children limit close contact with children and adults who are vulnerable, such as those with health atmospheric condition.

Wear a mask. Very contagious coronavirus variants are circulating. Mask wearing prevents virus spread and outbreaks. This is one reason why the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades Chiliad-12, fifty-fifty for those who are fully vaccinated. Data continue to support the value of masking in schools to prevent infections. Milstone suggests that parents help younger children practice wearing masks before returning to schoolhouse so kids are comfy wearing them in class.

Hand hygiene. Kids should wash their hands after using the bath, sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose, earlier eating (even snacks) and immediately after coming within from playing outdoors.

Milstone advises parents to teach kids to wash their easily regularly, with soap and warm water, for at least xx seconds. "They can help keep track of time by singing the ABCs, which takes near 20 seconds to terminate," he says. If lather and water are not available, Milstone says the side by side all-time option is mitt sanitizer containing at least lx% alcohol.

Kids who balk. Milstone says, "If your child is refusing to launder their hands or becoming very upset when asked to practice so, information technology might help to give them a small advantage, such as a sticker, to celebrate each fourth dimension they wash their hands. Compliment them for doing a really skillful job while washing their hands." It as well helps when parents set up an example by washing their ain hands frequently.

5 Tips Kids Need to Know almost Covid-19

Kids and families tin reduce coronavirus chance together

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

Get all your shots. Ensure that all family members receive COVID-xix vaccinations equally soon as they are eligible, and the same goes for flu shots and other vaccinations.

Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and be on the lookout for serious disease in kids.

Coughing and sneeze with care. "Encourage everyone in the family unit to cough and sneeze into their elbow, instead of their hands, and to wash their hands after 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 up every bit much equally possible. Milstone says information technology tin can help if kids carry a toy that volition keep their hands busy, just he notes that parents should wash those toys regularly.

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

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

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

Scientist carefully insets a pipette into a test tube.

Coronavirus (COVID-xix)

What you demand to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine.