COVID in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

Reviewed Past:

Updated on February 17, 2022

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

Aaron Milstone, M.D., K.H.Due south., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children's Center and an infectious disease skillful at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, talks nearly COVID-19 symptoms in children, how to go on 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 exist related to exposure to the virus.

What should parents know near 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-19 vaccination and among populations such as children under 5 who cannot notwithstanding exist vaccinated.

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

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

In rare cases, children infected with the coronavirus can develop a serious lung infection and become very sick with COVID-19, and deaths have occurred. That'due south why it is of import to use precautions and forbid 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, pass the disease to her baby. Infants tin besides become infected shortly after beingness born. According to the U.South. Centers for Illness Command and Prevention (CDC), most newborns who test positive for the coronavirus have mild symptoms or none at all, and recover, just serious cases have occurred. Pregnant women should take extra precautions, including talking to your md about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, to avoid the coronavirus.

In that location is no evidence that the virus causing COVID-19 is present in chest milk simply because there is a possibility of spreading COVID-19 during breastfeeding through respiratory aerosol, it is very important to follow condom guidelines. Learn more than about 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
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of gustation or smell
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • New fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Congestion or runny nose

Some symptoms of COVID-xix and the influenza are shared and information technology may be hard to determine which of either might be nowadays.

"People with influenza-like symptoms should be careful about exposing other people and should become tested to see if they have COVID," says Milstone. "Testing for influenza virus can likewise be of import, as available medicines tin can help reduce symptoms in those with influenza."

Fever and cough are common COVID-19 symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more probable to exist seen in adults. Children can take pneumonia, with or without obvious symptoms. They tin can too feel sore pharynx, excessive fatigue or diarrhea.

Withal, serious disease in children with COVID-19 is possible, and parents should stay alarm 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 find these warning signs in a child:

  • Difficulty animate or catching his or her breath
  • Inability to go on downwards any liquids
  • New confusion or disability to awaken
  • Blue lips
illustration of a superhero punching a germ

Paw-washing and Coronavirus Prevention for Children

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

Gamble Factors for Serious COVID-xix in Children

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

  • Those under age 2
  • Black and Latino children, who tin be affected 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 think your child is ill with COVID-19, trust your instinct, specially if the child has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family care practitioner or urgent intendance clinic if you don't have a medico, and follow their instructions advisedly 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
  • Airsickness and diarrhea
  • Red, cracked lips
  • Cherry eyes
  • Swollen easily or feet

Learn more about MIS-C.

Children with Medical Conditions

How can immunocompromised kids get the care they need?

Lexie DeLone, a child life specialist at Johns Hopkins Children'due south Center, says, "Your kid'southward intendance team is your go-to resource. It's OK to enquire your child's 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 advisable," she says.

Some office visits and follow-ups may be able to shift to telemedicine, but other treatments require your kid's concrete presence. "Parents can remind children that their handling is of import to keep them healthy, DeLone says. "Older children and teens might be aware of the fact that their bodies could accept 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 have more than severe symptoms from COVID-19 or whatsoever other respiratory disease, including the flu. There are no indications that most children with asthma feel severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, but discover them advisedly and, if symptoms develop, call the child's doctor to hash out next steps and to adjust advisable evaluation as needed. Go along your kid'south medications refilled and accept extra care to avert things that set off asthma attacks in your child.

Diabetes: Command of blood carbohydrate is key. Children with well-managed diabetes are not expected to be more susceptible to COVID-19. Simply poorly controlled diabetes tin can weaken the immune system, so 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-xix

Take 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 high risk of infection," says Milstone. "Vaccination reduces take a chance of infection, merely about importantly, significantly reduces the adventure of hospitalization and death from this and other variants."

Children historic period 12 or older who have received both required doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least five months ago tin can receive a booster shot. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is the merely vaccine and booster authorized for individuals ages 12–17.

Children age 5 and older who take certain medical conditions associated with immunosuppression can receive an additional dose 28 days later on their second dose.

Larn more almost the COVID-nineteen vaccine and what parents demand to know.

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Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-19

While a vaccine may be authorized for children under 5 in the adjacent few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best fashion to keep them safer is to avoid exposing them to people who are (or who might be) ill 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 in contact with, and the longer the elapsing of that contact, the higher the take a chance of infection with the coronavirus.

  • Children should stay at least half-dozen 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 place.
  • 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 every bit those with wellness conditions.

Wearable a mask. Very contagious coronavirus variants are circulating. Mask wearing prevents virus spread and outbreaks. This is ane reason why the Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American University of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades Thou-12, even 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 earlier returning to school and so kids are comfortable wearing them in class.

Manus hygiene. Kids should wash their easily after using the bath, sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose, before 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 20 seconds. "They tin can help go along track of fourth dimension by singing the ABCs, which takes near 20 seconds to finish," he says. If lather and water are not available, Milstone says the adjacent best option is hand sanitizer containing at least lx% booze.

Kids who balk. Milstone says, "If your child is refusing to launder their hands or condign very upset when asked to do and so, information technology might help to give them a modest reward, such equally a sticker, to gloat each time they wash their hands. Compliment them for doing a really proficient job while washing their hands." It also helps when parents set an example by washing their own easily oftentimes.

5 Tips Kids Need to Know most Covid-nineteen

Kids and families can reduce coronavirus risk together

Though in most cases COVID-19 seems to have less serious health consequences for children than for adults, information technology is of import to avoid infection amongst children. Here's how parents and guardians tin can help:

Go all your shots. Ensure that all family unit members receive COVID-xix vaccinations as presently 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 lookout for serious disease in kids.

Cough and sneeze with care. "Encourage everyone in the family to cough and sneeze into their elbow, instead of their easily, and to wash their hands later on 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 every bit possible. Milstone says it tin help if kids carry a toy that will keep their hands busy, but he notes that parents should launder those toys regularly.

Keep things clean. Wipe down toys and surfaces your child touches regularly, particularly when traveling or when almost a person who is sick. Make clean surfaces at home and shop cleaners in cabinets that are either as well loftier for your child to attain or are secured with childproof cabinet locks.

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

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

Scientist carefully insets a pipette into a test tube.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What you need to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine.