Is Your Little One Coughing and Running a Fever? What Every Parent Must Know About COVID-19 in Children

If you are a parent, hearing that your little one has caught COVID-19 can make your heart skip a beat. You want to know if they will be okay and how you can help them feel better fast. While children often have milder symptoms than adults, it is completely normal to feel worried when your child gets sick.

We are here to walk you through everything you need to know in plain and simple English. From spotting early signs to knowing when to call your doctor, this guide gives you the clear facts you need to keep your child safe.

What Is COVID-19 in Children?

Put simply, COVID-19 is a very fast-spreading lung illness caused by a germ called the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Anyone of any age can catch it. Children often show fewer signs than adults or may have very mild cold-like signs that go away quickly.

However, some children can get very sick. They might need hospital care or even intensive care unit treatment. Children with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or lung problems have a higher chance of getting very sick.

Even healthy children without other health problems can sometimes get very sick if they do not have their vaccines. This is why children doctors always suggest getting your child vaccinated. Everyone in your home should also stay up to date on their shots to protect babies under six months old who cannot get vaccines yet.

What Are the Signs of COVID-19 in Children?

It can be very hard to know if your child has COVID-19 just by looking at them. The signs look very much like a normal flu or another common bug called RSV.

Common signs of COVID-19 in children include:

• Fever, which happens most often.
• Cough, which is also very common.
• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath.
• Sore throat.
• Headache.
• Body aches and sore muscles.
• Feeling very tired with no energy.
• Stuffy nose.
• Runny nose.
• Stomach and gut signs like nausea, throwing up, or loose stools.

Signs can change from one child to another. Some children show no signs at all, which doctors call asymptomatic. Babies under one year old might only have a fever or lose interest in drinking milk without showing other signs.

If your child has any of these signs or simply seems unwell, calling your doctor is the best first step. Your doctor can guide you on what to do next and whether you need to bring your child in for a visit.

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Why Do Children Catch COVID-19?

Both children and adults catch COVID-19 from the same germ called the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This germ belongs to a large family of coronaviruses. The virus enters the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes and then starts to multiply inside.

COVID-19 spreads very easily from person to person. When a sick person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes, tiny droplets come out into the air. If your child breathes in these droplets, they can catch the virus. They can also catch it by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching their face. For example, if your child plays at school near someone with the virus or touches a toy with germs on it, they might get sick.

What Complications Can Happen From This Illness?

COVID-19 can sometimes lead to more serious health problems in children. These include:

• Croup, which causes a barking cough because the upper airway swells up.
• Bronchiolitis, which is an infection of the small air tubes in the lungs.
• Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a serious lung condition that makes breathing very hard.
• Myocarditis, which is swelling of the heart muscle.
• Acute kidney failure, when the kidneys stop working suddenly.
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, a serious condition that can happen weeks after COVID-19 and affects many body parts at once.

Which Children Are at Higher Risk of Severe Illness?

Children with certain health conditions have a higher chance of getting very sick or having complications from COVID-19:

• Babies born early or with low birth weight.
• Asthma or other long-term lung diseases.
• Obesity or carrying extra body weight.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Congenital heart disease or other heart conditions.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Brain or nervous system disorders.
• Needing a feeding tube for meals.
• A weak immune system that fights germs poorly.

How Do Doctors Figure Out If a Child Has COVID-19?

Doctors use lab tests to confirm if a child has COVID-19. The doctor might take a saliva sample or use a soft cotton swab inside your child nose or throat to collect fluid, which goes to a lab for testing.

You can also buy at-home test kits from stores. If a home test shows your child has COVID-19, call your doctor right away to find out what steps to take next.

How Do Doctors Treat COVID-19 in Children?

Doctors choose treatments based on each child unique needs and health status. Their main goals are to lower signs and prevent or manage any complications.

Most children have mild or moderate signs that get better with care at home. Your doctor will give you clear instructions on how to care for your child. Usually, home care includes:

• Giving your child plenty of fluids to drink to prevent dehydration. Warm soups and broths work well.
• Controlling fever safely. Always ask your doctor before giving any fever medicine.
• Making sure your child gets lots of rest and stops running or playing hard for a few days.
• Using a room humidifier if your child has a stuffy nose to make breathing easier.

If your child has a higher risk of severe illness, the doctor might prescribe antiviral medicines. Doctors only give these in special cases when needed.

If signs get worse or complications happen, your child may need to stay in the hospital. Some children need care in the intensive care unit. Hospital treatments may include medicines, IV fluids through a vein, or extra oxygen to help them breathe.

How Long Can COVID-19 Last in Children?

Most children feel better within one to two weeks. However, children who develop complications may take longer to heal. Your doctor can give you more details based on your child health.

When Can I Send My Child Back to School? Always follow your doctor advice about sending your child back to school or daycare. You should also check with the school rules, as many schools have their own guidelines for returning after an illness.

What Does the Future Look Like for Children Who Had COVID-19?

Most children recover completely from COVID-19 and return to full health. However, some children can experience post-COVID conditions, often called long COVID. These are signs that last for three months or more after the initial infection, though children get long COVID much less often than adults do.

Common signs in children with long COVID include:

• Feeling tired all the time.
• Headaches.
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia.
• Trouble paying attention or focusing.
• Muscle and joint pain.
• Cough.

If your child keeps having signs or develops new ones, tell your doctor right away.

How Can I Prevent My Child From Catching COVID-19?

You cannot always prevent your child from catching common germs. However, you can take steps to lower risks and keep your family healthy:

• Clean surfaces that people touch often using safe household cleaners. Read product labels and follow instructions to kill viruses on counters and door handles.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Do this before eating, making food, and after using the bathroom. Wash hands more often during respiratory season, after visiting public places, or after caring for someone who is sick. Keep hand sanitizer nearby when soap and water are not close by.
• Teach your child good cough habits. Show them how to cough into a tissue or their elbow rather than open air.
• Limit exposure when illness is common. If a child or family member at home is at high risk of severe illness, think about which events to skip. You might skip crowded indoor gatherings or choose outdoor play dates instead of indoor ones. Ask your doctor if your child should wear a mask at school or other places.
• Take care when caring for a sick family member. If you care for someone with COVID-19, wear a well-fitting face mask. The sick person should also wear a mask if they are over two years old. Try to have one main caregiver to limit exposure. Keep the sick person in a separate room away from others if possible.

Should My Child Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Doctors suggest that every child aged six months and older should get a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine trains your child immune system to fight off the virus. Depending on your child age and health history, they may need one or more doses.

Getting your child vaccinated has many benefits:

• The vaccine helps prevent your child from catching COVID-19.
• If your child does catch it, the vaccine greatly lowers their risk of severe illness and hospital stays.
• It lowers the risk of MIS-C, which is a serious complication linked to COVID-19.
• It reduces the chance that your child will pass the virus to other family members who might get very sick.

Talk with your child doctor to get advice tailored to your child health needs. They can tell you which vaccine doses your child needs for the best protection and make sure all standard vaccines are up to date.

Keep these points in mind:

• If your child has a weak immune system or as new virus variants appear, they might need extra doses.
• If your child recently had COVID-19, you may need to wait a few months before getting a vaccine dose. Doctors often suggest waiting about three months after an illness. However, they still need the vaccine later for strong, long-lasting protection.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Children?

Research shows that COVID-19 vaccines are very safe for children. Clinical trials included children, and experts continue to monitor vaccine safety closely.

Some parents worry that teens might develop myocarditis, which is swelling of the heart muscle. This happens very rarely. Viral infections like COVID-19 and the flu cause myocarditis much more often than vaccines do. This is why doctors stress that the benefits of getting the vaccine are much higher than any small risk.

What Side Effects Can the COVID-19 Vaccine Cause?

Some children have no side effects at all. Others may have mild side effects within twelve hours after getting the shot. These include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given.
• Feeling tired.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Chills.
• Muscle and body aches.

These side effects usually go away within 24 hours.

When Should I Call a Doctor?

Call your child doctor if:

• Your child has signs of COVID-19.
• Your child signs do not get better or seem to be getting worse.
• Your child was exposed to COVID-19 and has a high risk of severe illness.
• You have questions about when your child can return to school or daycare.
• You want to talk about the right vaccine schedule for your child.

A Note From Dr. Priya Sammani.

Simple Comparison: Cold, Flu, and COVID-19 Signs.

References & Further Reading:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). COVID-19 in Infants and Children.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Schools and children.
• National Health Service (NHS UK). Coronavirus (COVID-19) in children.
• Mayo Clinic. COVID-19 in babies and children: What parents need to know.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). COVID-19 Guidance for Pediatric Clinical Care.