Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses like Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome, the common cold, and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Children above age one tend to have fewer, milder symptoms and better outcomes than adults when they contract Covid-19.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19 in children are:
Not all children with Covid-19 have symptoms. Some may have no symptoms while others have mild symptoms and others have severe symptoms.
Spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in children is caused by exposure to respiratory droplets from someone who is physically close to your child. If someone infected with the virus sneezes, coughs, breathes, or sings within six feet of a child, they can easily catch the virus.
There’s also a slight risk of catching Covid-19 if your child touches a surface with the virus and then touches their mouth or nose. Children can contract Covid-19 more than once.
Risk factors for catching Covid-19 in children include having a chronic illness, especially sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, a heart disease, kidney disease, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and conditions affecting the nervous system. Having a compromised immune system also puts children at risk, and being underage one makes it more likely that the illness will be serious.
If you suspect your child has Covid-19, contact their healthcare provider. They’ll decide whether or not to test for Covid-19 based on your child’s symptoms, medical history, and recent exposure to someone with the disease. If your healthcare provider decides not to test for Covid-19, you should still stay at home and can purchase an at-home test if your child is comfortable taking it.
Complications of Covid-19 are rare in children, but one dangerous complication is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C is a severe condition that involves multiple organ systems becoming inflamed due to an excessive immune response to the Covid-19 virus. If your child is severely sick or is struggling to stay awake, has bluish-grey skin, difficulty breathing, confusion, or severe stomach pain, take your child to the nearest emergency room right away.
Treating your child for Covid-19 involves keeping them at home and isolating them as much as possible to prevent the spread of disease to the rest of your household. Treat your child’s symptoms, including pain management with over-the-counter pain medication, lots of rest, and plenty of fluids.
You can prevent Covid-19 in children by vaccinating children once they’re six months of age. This lowers the risk of death and serious illness. Additionally, teach your child how to thoroughly wash their hands, to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough, to avoid touching their eyes, mouth, and nose, and have them wear a mask when appropriate.
You can help prevent the spread of disease by keeping your child home when they’re sick and disinfecting heavily used surfaces around your home like doorknobs and countertops.