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 take every possible rubber precaution and understand all risks and symptoms related to COVID-xix.

Aaron Milstone, M.D., Yard.H.S., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children'southward Center and an infectious illness good at The Johns Hopkins Infirmary, talks about COVID-19 symptoms in children, how to keep babies and kids prophylactic, the run a risk infected children may pose to others, and an overview of MIS-C, an uncommon but 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, proceed to spread, especially in areas with low rates of community COVID-19 vaccination and amongst populations such as children under 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated.

For children as well immature to be vaccinated (and adults who have 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 adventure of becoming infected with the coronavirus.

"Indoor activities are riskier than outdoor activities, only risk can be reduced by masking, distancing, manus washing, and improved ventilation," Milstone says.
Parents and caregivers should understand that children infected with the coronavirus 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-19, and deaths have occurred. That's why it is of import to use precautions and prevent infection in children as well as adults.

Can newborns and babies get COVID-19?

Information technology appears that women infected with the coronavirus can, in very rare cases, pass the disease to her infant. Infants can also become infected shortly after being born. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), virtually 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 doctor almost getting a COVID-19 vaccine, to avert the coronavirus.

There is no evidence that the virus causing COVID-19 is nowadays in breast milk but because there is a possibility of spreading COVID-nineteen during breastfeeding through respiratory droplets, information technology is very important to follow safety guidelines. Acquire more about COVID and breastfeeding.

COVID symptoms in babies, toddlers and children?

Generally, COVID-19 symptoms in kids and babies are milder than those in adults, and some infected children may not have any signs of being 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 pharynx
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • New fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Congestion or runny olfactory organ

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 near exposing other people and should get tested to run across if they have COVID," says Milstone. "Testing for flu virus tin also be of import, equally bachelor medicines tin assist reduce symptoms in those with influenza."

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

Still, serious affliction in children with COVID-nineteen is possible, and parents should stay alert if their kid 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 notice these warning signs in a child:

  • Difficulty breathing or catching his or her breath
  • Inability to keep downwardly any liquids
  • New confusion 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-nineteen — is key to keeping your children healthy. Our adept shares how to properly wash hands and arrive fun for the whole family.

Risk Factors for Serious COVID-19 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 infirmary:

  • Those nether historic period ii
  • Black and Latino children, who tin be affected past health disparities, leaving them disproportionately vulnerable to severe COVID-nineteen complications
  • Children who were born prematurely
  • Those living with obesity or chronic lung disease

If you remember your kid is ill with COVID-19, trust your instinct, peculiarly if the child has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family care practitioner or urgent care 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 accept noted that some children may feel a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C after an infection with the coronavirus.

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

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

Acquire more than nearly MIS-C.

Children with Medical Conditions

How can immunocompromised kids go the care they need?

Lexie DeLone, a child life specialist at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, says, "Your kid's care team is your become-to resource. Information technology'southward OK to ask your kid's doctor nigh what specific steps they are taking to provide treatment for your kid 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, only other treatments require your kid's physical presence. "Parents can remind children that their handling is of import to keep them good for you, DeLone says. "Older children and teens might exist enlightened of the fact that their bodies could have 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 accept more astringent symptoms from COVID-19 or any other respiratory disease, including the flu. There are no indications that most children with asthma feel astringent symptoms due to the coronavirus, but find them advisedly and, if symptoms develop, phone call the child's doctor to discuss next steps and to arrange advisable evaluation as needed. Keep your kid's medications refilled and have extra care to avoid things that set off asthma attacks in your child.

Diabetes: Control of claret sugar is key. Children with well-managed diabetes are not expected to exist more susceptible to COVID-xix. But poorly controlled diabetes can weaken the immune organization, and then 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

Have your child vaccinated for COVID

Experts, including those at Johns Hopkins, believe that in that location 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 high risk of infection," says Milstone. "Vaccination reduces risk of infection, but most importantly, significantly reduces the gamble 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 agone tin 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 sure medical weather condition associated with immunosuppression tin can receive an additional dose 28 days after their second dose.

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

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Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-xix

While a vaccine may be authorized for children nether 5 in the next few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best manner to keep them safer is to avoid exposing them to people who are (or who might be) sick with the coronavirus, including family members. Here are three of the best ways 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 run a risk of infection with the coronavirus.

  • Children should stay at least six anxiety from others exterior of their household.
  • Check your kids' 24-hour interval care and schools (if they are open) to ensure physical distancing measures are in place.
  • Limit in-person play with other children, and be certain the children vesture masks properly.
  • Ensure that children limit close contact with children and adults who are vulnerable, such equally 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 Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades K-12, even for those who are fully vaccinated. Data keep to support the value of masking in schools to prevent infections. Milstone suggests that parents assist younger children practice wearing masks before returning to school and so kids are comfy wearing them in course.

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

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

Kids who cramp. Milstone says, "If your kid is refusing to wash their hands or becoming very upset when asked to do so, it might help to give them a small advantage, such as a sticker, to celebrate each time they wash their hands. Compliment them for doing a really good job while washing their hands." It likewise helps when parents set an instance past washing their own easily frequently.

5 Tips Kids Need to Know about Covid-19

Kids and families can reduce coronavirus chance together

Though in about cases COVID-nineteen seems to accept less serious wellness consequences for children than for adults, information technology is of import to avoid infection amongst children. Hither'due south how parents and guardians can help:

Become all your shots. Ensure that all family members receive COVID-xix vaccinations every bit soon as they are eligible, and the same goes for influenza shots and other vaccinations.

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

Cough and sneeze with intendance. "Encourage anybody in the family 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.

Continue hands off faces. Parents should remind children to avert touching their face up as much as possible. Milstone says it tin can help if kids carry a toy that will keep their hands decorated, just he notes that parents should wash those toys regularly.

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

Address anxiety and stress. Talking things over equally a family can help identify specific fears and clarify the facts. Information technology besides helps for families to hash out a plan in example someone gets sick or something else happens that interrupts the normal routine.

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

Scientist carefully insets a pipette into a test tube.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What you need to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine.