COVID in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

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Updated on February 17, 2022

COVID-19 cases amidst babies and children remain high, according to information from the American University of Pediatrics. It is important for parents and kids to take every possible safety precaution and sympathise all risks and symptoms related to COVID-19.

Aaron Milstone, M.D., M.H.S., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children's Middle and an communicable diseases adept at The Johns Hopkins Infirmary, talks near COVID-nineteen symptoms in children, how to go along babies and kids safe, the 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, keep to spread, especially in areas with depression rates of community COVID-19 vaccination and among populations such every bit children nether 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated.

For children too immature to exist vaccinated (and adults who have not received coronavirus vaccines) it is important to follow proven COVID-nineteen 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 chance can be reduced by masking, distancing, hand washing, and improved ventilation," Milstone says.
Parents and caregivers should empathize that children infected with the coronavirus can develop complications requiring hospitalization, and tin can transmit the virus to others.

In rare cases, children infected with the coronavirus can develop a serious lung infection and get very sick with COVID-19, and deaths have occurred. That'south why it is important to use precautions and prevent infection in children as well as adults.

Can newborns and babies get COVID-19?

It appears that women infected with the coronavirus can, in very rare cases, laissez passer the affliction to her baby. Infants can also become infected shortly later on beingness born. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), near newborns who exam positive for the coronavirus have mild symptoms or none at all, and recover, just serious cases have occurred. Pregnant women should take actress precautions, including talking to your doctor about getting a COVID-nineteen vaccine, to avoid the coronavirus.

At that place is no testify that the virus causing COVID-19 is present in chest milk just because at that place is a possibility of spreading COVID-19 during breastfeeding through respiratory droplets, it is very important to follow safety guidelines. Learn more almost COVID and breastfeeding.

COVID symptoms in babies, toddlers and children?

Mostly, 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
  • Musculus or trunk aches
  • Sore pharynx
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • New fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Congestion or runny nose

Some symptoms of COVID-xix and the flu are shared and information technology may be difficult to decide which of either might be present.

"People with flu-similar symptoms should exist careful nigh exposing other people and should get tested to see 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 common COVID-19 symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more likely to be seen in adults. Children can accept pneumonia, with or without obvious symptoms. They can besides feel sore throat, excessive fatigue or diarrhea.

However, 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-nineteen: When to Call 911

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

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

Paw-washing and Coronavirus Prevention for Children

Manus-washing — along with limiting exposure to people who are (or might exist) ill with COVID-19 — is cardinal to keeping your children healthy. Our expert shares how to properly wash easily and get in fun for the whole family.

Gamble Factors for Serious COVID-19 in Children

Data from the CDC study indicate that some children may be at a higher chance for a serious instance of COVID-19, needing medical intendance in a hospital:

  • Those nether age 2
  • Black and Latino children, who can exist affected past wellness disparities, leaving them disproportionately vulnerable to severe COVID-19 complications
  • Children who were born prematurely
  • Those living with obesity or chronic lung affliction

If yous think your child is sick with COVID-19, trust your instinct, especially 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 take 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 one of these symptoms:

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

Learn more about MIS-C.

Children with Medical Conditions

How can immunocompromised kids get the care they need?

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

Some function visits and follow-ups may exist able to shift to telemedicine, but other treatments require your child's physical presence. "Parents can remind children that their treatment is important to keep them healthy, DeLone says. "Older children and teens might be enlightened of the fact that their bodies could have a harder time fighting the virus if they encounter information technology.

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

Asthma: Children with asthma may accept more than severe symptoms from COVID-nineteen or any other respiratory illness, including the flu. There are no indications that most children with asthma experience severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, just discover them carefully and, if symptoms develop, phone call the kid's doctor to talk over next steps and to adjust advisable evaluation as needed. Keep your child's medications refilled and accept actress care to avoid things that set off asthma attacks in your child.

Diabetes: Control of blood saccharide is key. Children with well-managed diabetes are non expected to be more than susceptible to COVID-19. But poorly controlled diabetes tin can weaken the immune system, and then parents and doctors should watch these children advisedly for signs and symptoms that may crave 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 five and older.

"The omicron variant is very contagious leaving unimmunized people at high gamble of infection," says Milstone. "Vaccination reduces run a risk of infection, simply about chiefly, significantly reduces the chance of hospitalization and expiry from this and other variants."

Children historic period 12 or older who take received both required doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 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 age 5 and older who take certain medical conditions associated with immunosuppression tin receive an additional dose 28 days after their second dose.

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

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Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-19

While a vaccine may exist authorized for children nether 5 in the next few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best manner to go on 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 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 least 6 anxiety from others outside 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 wear masks properly.
  • Ensure that children limit close contact with children and adults who are vulnerable, such every bit those with health weather condition.

Wear a mask. Very contagious coronavirus variants are circulating. Mask wearing prevents virus spread and outbreaks. This is 1 reason why the Centers for Disease Command and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades 1000-12, fifty-fifty for those who are fully vaccinated. Information continue to back up the value of masking in schools to foreclose infections. Milstone suggests that parents assistance younger children practice wearing masks before returning to school so kids are comfortable wearing them in class.

Hand hygiene. Kids should wash their easily later on using the bathroom, sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose, earlier eating (fifty-fifty snacks) and immediately after coming within 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 can help keep track of fourth dimension past singing the ABCs, which takes nearly 20 seconds to finish," he says. If soap and water are non available, Milstone says the adjacent all-time pick is manus sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Kids who balk. Milstone says, "If your kid is refusing to launder their hands or becoming very upset when asked to practice so, it might help to give them a pocket-size advantage, such every bit a sticker, to celebrate each fourth dimension they launder their easily. Compliment them for doing a really good job while washing their hands." It as well helps when parents set an instance by washing their ain hands frequently.

v 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, information technology is of import to avert infection among children. Hither'due south how parents and guardians can aid:

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

Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-xix and be on the lookout for serious affliction 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 hands after each time this occurs," Milstone says. "Throw away tissues after they are used," he adds.

Keep easily off faces. Parents should remind children to avoid touching their face as much as possible. Milstone says it can help if kids carry a toy that will go along 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 well-nigh a person who is sick. Clean surfaces at habitation and shop cleaners in cabinets that are either also 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 place specific fears and analyze the facts. It likewise helps for families to hash out a plan in instance someone gets sick or something else happens that interrupts the normal routine.

"Children volition expect to y'all when deciding how to experience nigh COVID-nineteen. 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.