Concern about coronavirus (COVID-19) is high, but the risk for serious illness to children seems to be low. So far, most reported cases of coronavirus have been in adults. Kids who do get it seem to have milder infections than adults or older people.
Experts are still learning about COVID-19, so we don’t have all the information yet. Still, parents wonder what to do if their child gets sick.
What If My Child Gets a Fever or Cough? Could it Be Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- Do your best to stay calm.
- Talk to a health care provider. You can:
- Call your doctor. Your doctor knows your child’s health history and will know if your child has any special risks. The doctor will ask how your child is doing and if they’ve been around someone with coronavirus. Your doctor’s office will tell you what to do next and whether you need an in-person visit.
or - Get a telehealth visit. If this option is available in your area, a health care provider can see your child while you stay at home. If you can, choose a telehealth provider who specializes in caring for kids. If the doctor thinks your child needs care right away, they will guide you on where to go. Check for telehealth in your area now, before anyone in your family is sick.
- Call your doctor. Your doctor knows your child’s health history and will know if your child has any special risks. The doctor will ask how your child is doing and if they’ve been around someone with coronavirus. Your doctor’s office will tell you what to do next and whether you need an in-person visit.
- Keep your child home. This keeps your child away from other germs. It also helps prevent your child from spreading the illness to others. If the doctor thinks your child might have coronavirus, the whole family will need to stay home.
- Keep other people and pets in the house away from your child as much as possible.
- If possible, have your sick child use a different bathroom from others. If that isn’t possible, wipe down the bathroom often.
- Everyone in your family should wash their hands well and often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Use regular household cleaners or wipes to clean things that get touched a lot (doorknobs, light switches, toys, remote controls, phones, etc.). Do this every day.
- Help your child get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquids.
- Watch for signs that your child might need more medical help, such as trouble breathing, fast breathing, sleepiness, not being able to drink a lot of liquids, or signs of dehydration like peeing less than usual.
Should I Get My Child Checked for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
With the nonstop news coverage, it’s easy to think that coronavirus symptoms are an emergency. But it’s important not to run to the ER at the first sign of fever.
Instead, call your doctor or use telehealth if your child has:
- a fever
- a cough
- fast breathing
- signs of dehydration, such as not peeing for 8-12 hours, no tears when crying, or being less active than usual
They’ll help you know if you can care for your child at home or if you need to go to the doctor’s office or the ER.
Go to the ER or call 911 if your child:
- has breathing problems. Look for muscles pulling in between the ribs or the nose puffing out with each breath.
- is turning blue
- is confused or very sleepy
How Do Doctors Test People for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Testing for COVID-19 is changing. Doctors, hospitals, commercial labs, local health departments, and the U.S. Public Health Service are working together to help get tests to the people who need them.
To test someone for coronavirus, doctors send a mucus sample from the nose and back of the throat to a lab. If the person coughs up mucus, doctors might send that for testing too.
If you think your child has symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor or local health department. They will give you the most up-to-date information on testing.
How Is Coronavirus (COVID-19) Treated?
Currently, there’s no medicine or vaccine for coronavirus. Most people with the illness, including children, get better with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medicine.
What Else Should I Know?
Keep doing these things to keep your family healthy:
- Wash hands well and often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid contact with other people, especially those who are sick.
