COVID-19 has impacted people of all ages, including children. While kids are generally less likely to develop severe illness from COVID-19 compared to adults, there are still important things for parents to understand about how this virus affects young people.
What are the common symptoms of COVID-19 in children?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children are similar to adults and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
However, children may be less likely to develop certain symptoms like fever and cough. They tend to get milder illness compared to adults overall.
How severe is COVID-19 in children?
Most children who get infected with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all. However, some kids can develop more severe illness requiring hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Around 1.3-3.5% of reported COVID-19 cases in children required hospitalization
- 0-0.27% of cases resulted in admission to the ICU
- Less than 0.01% of cases resulted in death
So while severe illness is uncommon in kids, it is still important to monitor children with COVID-19 closely for any concerning symptoms that may warrant medical attention.
Which children are at higher risk for severe COVID-19?
Certain factors can increase a child’s risk of more serious COVID-19 disease. According to the CDC, children who are more likely to get very sick include:
- Infants younger than 1 year old
- Children with underlying medical conditions such as:
- Asthma or chronic lung disease
- Diabetes
- Sickle cell disease
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Weakened immune system
Premature infants and those with developmental delays may also be at increased risk. Parents of high-risk children should take extra precautions to protect their health.
What are the long-term effects of COVID-19 in children?
While COVID-19 is generally mild in kids, some children may experience long-term effects from the virus. These can include:
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) – A rare but serious condition involving inflammation of different body parts like the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. It typically develops 2-6 weeks after COVID-19 illness.
- Long COVID – Ongoing symptoms lasting more than 2 months after initial infection. Fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, and heart palpitations are among the reported long-term effects.
- Mental health issues – Social isolation, disrupted routines, and worry about the virus can negatively impact children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
While uncommon, these long-term effects underscore the importance of protecting children’s health during the pandemic as much as possible.
How can parents protect children from COVID-19?
Here are some tips for parents to help safeguard the health of children during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Get children vaccinated when eligible – COVID-19 vaccines help prevent severe illness in kids ages 5 and up.
- Encourage mask wearing – Face masks add an extra layer of protection for unvaccinated children 2 years and older in public settings.
- Practice social distancing – Limiting close contacts helps reduce virus transmission risk.
- Promote good hygiene – Hand washing, covering coughs/sneezes, and cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly can stem infection spread.
- Be aware of symptoms – Monitor children for fever, cough, trouble breathing, and other COVID-19 signs.
- Isolate if exposed/sick – Follow CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation to protect others if a child has COVID-19.
- Support mental health – Validate children’s concerns, provide reassurance, promote routines, and allow playtime.
Following public health recommendations, getting eligible kids vaccinated, and taking appropriate precautions can help minimize COVID-19 risks for children.
Should children get tested for COVID-19?
The CDC recommends COVID-19 testing for children in the following situations:
- They are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19
- They have had close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19
- Before and after travel
- Before attending gatherings or events
- When required by school, sports, or other activities
- When recommended by a healthcare provider or health department
Testing can detect COVID-19 infections early and prevent spread to others. Nasal swab molecular tests or at-home antigen tests are options for diagnosing COVID-19 in children. Parents should follow their pediatrician’s advice regarding when to get children tested.
What treatments are available for children with COVID-19?
Most healthy children with mild COVID-19 can recover safely at home with rest, fluids, and fever control. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can help relieve symptoms.
Kids with severe COVID-19 may need treatment in the hospital. Therapies available may include:
- Oxygen – to help with breathing difficulties
- Fluids – to maintain hydration
- Medications – like antivirals, steroids, or immune modulators to reduce virus replication and address inflammation
In extreme cases, interventions like mechanical ventilation may be required. Consult a doctor right away if a child has any emergency warning signs like trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
Should children get a COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for children ages 5 years and older in the United States using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Vaccinating children can:
- Help protect them from getting seriously ill if infected
- Reduce virus transmission to other household members
- Support herd immunity to stop spread in a community
- Allow return to more normal school and social activities
The Pfizer vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in children ages 5 to 11. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, like soreness at the injection site, headache, or fever. COVID-19 vaccines provide significant benefits that outweigh potential risks for most kids.
Conclusion
While COVID-19 is typically more mild in children than adults, it can still cause serious illness in some kids. Vaccination, masking, distancing, testing, isolating, and proper medical care as needed can protect their health. Monitoring children for COVID-19 symptoms and following public health guidance are important actions parents can take during the pandemic. With vigilance and proper precautions, the risks of COVID-19 in children can be reduced.