COVID in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

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Updated on February 17, 2022

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

Aaron Milstone, M.D., G.H.S., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children'southward Heart and an infectious disease expert at The Johns Hopkins Infirmary, talks about COVID-19 symptoms in children, how to go along babies and kids condom, the run a risk infected children may pose to others, and an overview of MIS-C, an uncommon just 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, particularly in areas with low rates of community COVID-nineteen vaccination and amidst populations such as children under v who cannot yet be vaccinated.

For children likewise young to be vaccinated (and adults who accept non 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 becoming infected with the coronavirus.

"Indoor activities are riskier than outdoor activities, but risk tin exist reduced past masking, distancing, paw washing, and improved ventilation," Milstone says.
Parents and caregivers should sympathize 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 go very sick with COVID-xix, and deaths have occurred. That'south why information technology is important to use precautions and prevent infection in children as well as adults.

Tin can newborns and babies get COVID-19?

It appears that women infected with the coronavirus can, in very rare cases, pass the disease to her baby. Infants tin can also become infected shortly later on beingness built-in. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most newborns who examination positive for the coronavirus have mild symptoms or none at all, and recover, but serious cases have occurred. Pregnant women should have extra precautions, including talking to your doctor virtually getting a COVID-nineteen vaccine, to avoid the coronavirus.

At that place is no evidence that the virus causing COVID-19 is present in breast milk but because there is a possibility of spreading COVID-xix during breastfeeding through respiratory droplets, it is very important to follow safety guidelines. Learn more than about COVID and breastfeeding.

COVID symptoms in babies, toddlers and children?

More often than not, COVID-19 symptoms in kids and babies are milder than those in adults, and some infected children may not accept any signs of being sick at all.

COVID-19 symptoms for children and adults include:

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

Some symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are shared and it may be difficult to determine which of either might be nowadays.

"People with flu-like symptoms should be careful about exposing other people and should get tested to see if they have COVID," says Milstone. "Testing for flu virus can besides be important, equally available medicines can assistance reduce symptoms in those with influenza."

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

Withal, serious disease in children with COVID-nineteen 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 Call 911

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

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

Hand-washing and Coronavirus Prevention for Children

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

Take a chance Factors for Serious COVID-xix in Children

Data from the CDC report indicate that some children may be at a college risk for a serious case of COVID-xix, needing medical care in a hospital:

  • Those nether age 2
  • Black and Latino children, who tin can be afflicted by health disparities, leaving them disproportionately vulnerable to severe COVID-19 complications
  • Children who were born prematurely
  • Those living with obesity or chronic lung disease

If you remember your child is sick with COVID-xix, trust your instinct, peculiarly if the kid has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family unit care practitioner or urgent intendance clinic if you 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 experience a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C after an infection with the coronavirus.

Call your family 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 to the lowest degree one of these symptoms:

  • Unusual weakness or fatigue
  • A blood-red rash
  • Abdominal (belly) pain
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Red, croaky lips
  • Ruddy eyes
  • Swollen hands or feet

Learn more than about MIS-C.

Children with Medical Conditions

How can immunocompromised kids get the intendance they need?

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

Some office 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 treatment is of import to go on 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 tin can reassure them that hospitals are enlightened of patients' vulnerabilities, and are prepared and using precautions."

Asthma: Children with asthma may have more severe symptoms from COVID-19 or whatsoever other respiratory disease, including the flu. There are no indications that about children with asthma experience severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, but observe them carefully and, if symptoms develop, call the child's physician to discuss side by side steps and to arrange appropriate evaluation every bit needed. Keep your child's medications refilled and take extra care to avert things that ready off asthma attacks in your child.

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

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

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 v and older.

"The omicron variant is very contagious leaving unimmunized people at loftier gamble of infection," says Milstone. "Vaccination reduces take a chance of infection, but well-nigh 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 5 months agone can receive a booster shot. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the only vaccine and booster authorized for individuals ages 12–17.

Children age v and older who have sure medical conditions associated with immunosuppression tin can receive an boosted dose 28 days after their second dose.

Learn more nearly the COVID-nineteen vaccine and what parents demand to know.

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Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-nineteen

While a vaccine may be authorized for children nether five in the next few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best style to go along 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 ways to protect your kids from infection.

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

  • Children should stay at to the lowest degree 6 feet from others outside of their household.
  • Check your kids' day care and schools (if they are open up) to ensure physical distancing measures are in identify.
  • Limit in-person play with other children, and be sure the children wear masks properly.
  • Ensure that children limit close contact with children and adults who are vulnerable, such as those with health conditions.

Wear 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 Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades Grand-12, fifty-fifty for those who are fully vaccinated. Data go along to back up the value of masking in schools to prevent infections. Milstone suggests that parents help younger children practice wearing masks before returning to schoolhouse and then kids are comfy wearing them in class.

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

Milstone advises parents to teach kids to wash their easily regularly, with soap and warm h2o, for at least 20 seconds. "They can help proceed track of time by singing the ABCs, which takes well-nigh 20 seconds to finish," he says. If soap and water are not available, Milstone says the side by side best selection is hand sanitizer containing at least 60% booze.

Kids who balk. Milstone says, "If your child is refusing to wash their hands or becoming very upset when asked to practice so, it might help to requite them a modest reward, such as a sticker, to gloat each time they wash their easily. Compliment them for doing a really good job while washing their hands." It as well helps when parents set an example by washing their own easily frequently.

five Tips Kids Need to Know about Covid-19

Kids and families can reduce coronavirus risk together

Though in most cases COVID-19 seems to accept less serious health consequences for children than for adults, it is important to avoid infection amidst children. Here'southward how parents and guardians can assistance:

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

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

Cough and sneeze with care. "Encourage everyone in the family to coughing and sneeze into their elbow, instead of their hands, and to wash their easily afterwards each time this occurs," Milstone says. "Throw abroad tissues afterwards they are used," he adds.

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

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

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

"Children volition look to you when deciding how to feel nigh COVID-nineteen. If y'all feel at-home and prepared, they are likely to feel similarly," Milstone notes.

Scientist carefully insets a pipette into a test tube.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What you demand to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine.