COVID in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

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Updated on Feb 17, 2022

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

Aaron Milstone, G.D., M.H.Southward., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children's Center and an communicable diseases expert at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, talks virtually COVID-19 symptoms in children, how to keep babies and kids safe, the gamble infected children may pose to others, and an overview of MIS-C, an uncommon only serious status 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, go on to spread, peculiarly in areas with low rates of community COVID-19 vaccination and among populations such every bit children under 5 who cannot withal be vaccinated.

For children likewise immature to be vaccinated (and adults who accept not received coronavirus vaccines) it is of import to follow proven COVID-19 precautions such every bit mask wearing when in public, indoor places to reduce the take chances of becoming infected with the coronavirus.

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

In rare cases, children infected with the coronavirus tin can develop a serious lung infection and get very sick with COVID-19, and deaths have occurred. That's why information technology is of import to use precautions and prevent infection in children equally 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 as well become infected before long after being born. According to the U.S. Centers for Illness Control and Prevention (CDC), most newborns who examination positive for the coronavirus have mild symptoms or none at all, and recover, but serious cases take occurred. Meaning women should take extra precautions, including talking to your doctor about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, to avoid the coronavirus.

In that location is no show that the virus causing COVID-nineteen is present in breast milk only because there is a possibility of spreading COVID-19 during breastfeeding through respiratory droplets, information technology is very important to follow prophylactic guidelines. Learn more about COVID and breastfeeding.

COVID symptoms in babies, toddlers and children?

By and large, COVID-nineteen symptoms in kids and babies are milder than those in adults, and some infected children may non have whatever signs of being ill at all.

COVID-19 symptoms for children and adults include:

  • Cough
  • Fever or chills
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Muscle or torso aches
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of gustation or scent
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • New fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Congestion or runny nose

Some symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are shared and it may be difficult to determine which of either might be nowadays.

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

Fever and cough are common COVID-nineteen symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more likely to exist seen in adults. Children can have pneumonia, with or without obvious symptoms. They can also experience sore throat, excessive fatigue or diarrhea.

However, serious affliction 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 care if they notice these warning signs in a child:

  • Difficulty animate or catching his or her breath
  • Disability to proceed down whatsoever liquids
  • New confusion or inability to awaken
  • Bluish lips
illustration of a superhero punching a germ

Hand-washing and Coronavirus Prevention for Children

Hand-washing — along with limiting exposure to people who are (or might exist) sick with COVID-19 — is key to keeping your children healthy. Our skilful shares how to properly launder hands and make it fun for the whole family unit.

Risk Factors for Serious COVID-19 in Children

Information from the CDC written report bespeak that some children may be at a higher gamble for a serious case of COVID-19, needing medical intendance in a hospital:

  • Those under historic period ii
  • Blackness and Latino children, who can 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 illness

If y'all call up your child is ill with COVID-xix, trust your instinct, especially if the child has a cough or fever. Contact your pediatrician, family unit care practitioner or urgent care clinic if y'all don't have a doctor, and follow their instructions carefully regarding isolation and testing.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

Doctors have noted that some children may experience a condition chosen multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C later an infection with the coronavirus.

Telephone call your family unit doctor or pediatrician correct abroad if your kid experiences a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more than that lasts more than 24 hours and at least one of these symptoms:

  • Unusual weakness or fatigue
  • A crimson rash
  • Abdominal (belly) pain
  • Airsickness and diarrhea
  • Red, croaky lips
  • Red optics
  • Bloated hands or anxiety

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's Center, says, "Your child'southward intendance team is your get-to resource. It's OK to ask 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 appropriate," she says.

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

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

Asthma: Children with asthma may have more severe symptoms from COVID-19 or whatsoever other respiratory affliction, including the flu. In that location are no indications that well-nigh children with asthma feel severe symptoms due to the coronavirus, merely observe them carefully and, if symptoms develop, call the child'south doctor to discuss next steps and to conform appropriate evaluation as needed. Keep your child'southward medications refilled and take extra care to avert things that set off asthma attacks in your child.

Diabetes: Control of blood sugar is fundamental. Children with well-managed diabetes are not expected to be more susceptible to COVID-19. Merely poorly controlled diabetes can weaken the immune organisation, so parents and doctors should sentinel these children carefully for signs and symptoms that may crave evaluation.

How to Protect Your Kids from the Coronavirus and COVID-19

Accept your kid vaccinated for COVID

Experts, including those at Johns Hopkins, believe that there are many benefits to vaccinating children for COVID-xix. The CDC recommends vaccines for children v and older.

"The omicron variant is very contagious leaving unimmunized people at high take a chance of infection," says Milstone. "Vaccination reduces adventure of infection, only about importantly, significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and decease from this and other variants."

Children historic period 12 or older who take received both required doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least 5 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 have certain medical weather condition associated with immunosuppression can receive an boosted dose 28 days after their second dose.

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

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Protecting Younger Kids from COVID-nineteen

While a vaccine may exist authorized for children under 5 in the next few months, until that happens, Milstone says that the best way to proceed them safer is to avoid exposing them to people who are (or who might exist) ill with the coronavirus, including family members. Here are three of the all-time ways to protect your kids from infection.

Maintain physical distancing. The more people your kids come in contact with, and the longer the duration of that contact, the higher the risk of infection with the coronavirus.

  • Children should stay at to the lowest degree 6 feet from others outside of their household.
  • Bank check your kids' day care and schools (if they are open) 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 as those with wellness conditions.

Wear a mask. Very contagious coronavirus variants are circulating. Mask wearing prevents virus spread and outbreaks. This is one reason why the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend masking for children in grades K-12, even for those who are fully vaccinated. Data proceed to support the value of masking in schools to prevent infections. Milstone suggests that parents aid younger children practice wearing masks earlier returning to school so kids are comfy wearing them in class.

Hand hygiene. Kids should wash their hands after using the bathroom, sneezing, coughing or bravado their nose, before eating (even snacks) and immediately afterward coming inside from playing outdoors.

Milstone advises parents to teach kids to wash their hands regularly, with soap and warm water, for at least twenty seconds. "They can assistance keep rails of time past singing the ABCs, which takes nearly xx seconds to finish," he says. If soap and water are not available, Milstone says the next best pick is manus sanitizer containing at least 60% booze.

Kids who balk. Milstone says, "If your child is refusing to wash their hands or condign very upset when asked to exercise so, it might help to requite them a modest reward, such as a sticker, to celebrate each time they wash their easily. Compliment them for doing a really good chore while washing their easily." It too helps when parents gear up an example by washing their own hands frequently.

v Tips Kids Need to Know virtually Covid-xix

Kids and families tin reduce coronavirus risk together

Though in about cases COVID-19 seems to have less serious health consequences for children than for adults, it is of import to avert infection among children. Here'southward how parents and guardians can help:

Get all your shots. Ensure that all family unit members receive COVID-xix vaccinations as presently as they are eligible, and the same goes for influenza 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 hands, and to wash their easily afterwards each time this occurs," Milstone says. "Throw away tissues later on they are used," he adds.

Continue hands 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 launder those toys regularly.

Keep things clean. Wipe down toys and surfaces your child touches regularly, especially when traveling or when nearly a person who is sick. Clean surfaces at dwelling house and shop cleaners in cabinets that are either likewise high for your child to reach or are secured with childproof cabinet locks.

Address feet and stress. Talking things over every bit a family unit tin can assistance identify specific fears and clarify the facts. It also helps for families to discuss a program in example someone gets ill or something else happens that interrupts the normal routine.

"Children volition expect to you when deciding how to feel near COVID-19. If yous experience at-home and prepared, they are likely to feel similarly," Milstone notes.

Scientist carefully insets a pipette into a test tube.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What you lot need to know from Johns Hopkins Medicine.