How is COVID-19 spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 mainly spreads from person to person. This usually happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks near other people. The virus is passed through tiny "droplets" from the infected person's lungs and airway. These droplets can easily travel several feet through the air. In some cases, like in indoor spaces where the same air keeps being blown around, droplets might be able to spread to other people who are more than a few feet away.
The virus can be passed easily between people who live together. But it can also spread at gatherings where people are talking close together, shaking hands, hugging, sharing food, or even singing together. Eating at restaurants raises the risk of infection, since people tend to be close to each other and not covering their faces. Doctors also think it is possible to get infected if you touch a surface that has the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
A person can be infected, and spread the virus to others, even without having any symptoms. This is why keeping people apart is one of the best ways to slow the spread.
It is not known if the virus can be passed to a baby through breast milk if the mother is sick.
Can children get COVID-19?
Yes. Children of any age can get COVID-19. They are less likely than adults to get seriously ill, although it can still happen.
Also, it is possible for children to spread the virus to other people. This can be dangerous, especially for people who are older or who have other health problems.
Are covid-19 symptoms different in children than adults?
Not really. In adults, common symptoms include fever and cough. In more severe cases, people can develop pneumonia and have trouble breathing. Children with COVID-19 can have these symptoms, too, but are less likely to get very sick. Some children do not have any symptoms at all.
Other symptoms can also happen in children and adults. These might include feeling very tired, shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, or vomiting. Babies with COVID-19 might have trouble feeding. There have also been some reports of rashes or other skin symptoms. For example, some people with COVID-19 get reddish-purple spots on their fingers or toes. But it's not clear why or how often this happens.
Serious symptoms are more common in people, including children, who have certain health problems. These include serious heart disease, sickle cell disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or a weak immune system due to organ transplant (for example, having a new heart or kidney from a donor). People who have a weak immune system for other reasons (for example, HIV infection or certain medicines), asthma, cystic fibrosis, type 1 diabetes, or high blood pressure might also be at higher risk for serious problems.
Can COVID-19 lead to other problems in children?
This is not common, but it can happen. There have been rare reports of children with COVID-19 developing inflammation throughout the body. This can lead to organ damage if it is not treated quickly. Experts have used different names for this condition, including "multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children" and "pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome." The symptoms can appear similar to another condition called "Kawasaki disease." They include:
Call your child's doctor right away if your child has any of these symptoms.
What should I do if my child has symptoms?
If your child has a fever, cough, or other symptoms of COVID-19, call their doctor. They can tell you what to do and whether your child needs to be seen in person.
If you are taking care of your child at home, the doctor will tell you what symptoms to watch for. Some children with COVID-19 suddenly get worse after being sick for about a week. The doctor can tell you when to call the office and when to call for emergency help. For example, you should get emergency help right away if your child:
If you have a baby and they are having trouble feeding normally, you should also call the doctor or nurse for advice.
Will my child need tests?
If a doctor or nurse suspects your child has COVID-19, they might take a swab from inside their nose or mouth for testing. These tests can help the doctor figure out if your child has COVID-19 or another illness.
If you think your child might have been exposed to the virus, but you are not able to get a test, your doctor will tell you what to do. They might tell you to keep your child home and away from other people, and call if their symptoms get worse. They can also suggest things you can do to help them feel better.
How is COVID-19 in children treated?
There is no known specific treatment for COVID-19. Most healthy children who get infected are able to recover at home, and usually get better within a week or 2.
It's important to keep your child home, and away from other people, until your doctor or nurse says it's safe for them to go back to their normal activities. This decision will depend on how long it has been since the child had symptoms, and in some cases, whether they have had a negative test (showing that the virus is no longer in their body).
Doctors are studying several different treatments to learn whether they might work to treat COVID-19. In certain cases, for children being treated in the hospital, doctors might recommend trying these treatments or joining a clinical trial. A clinical trial is a scientific study that tests new medicines to see how well they work.
How can I prevent my child from getting or spreading COVID-19?
There is not yet a vaccine to prevent COVID-19. But there are things people can do to reduce their chances of getting it and slow the spread of infection.
If your child is old enough, you can teach them to:
Younger children might need help or reminders to do these things.
What else should my family know about social distancing?
Keeping people away from each other is one of the best ways to control the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. That's because the virus can spread easily through close contact, and it's not always possible to know who is infected.
Getting fresh air and staying active is good for children's health. It's also normal for them to want to see friends and play with other children. But it's important to be aware of the risks. When possible, it is safest for children to connect with friends online instead of in person.
When you do go out, keep in mind that:
What if someone in our home is sick?
If someone in your home has COVID-19, they should stay in a separate room if possible. They should also wear a face mask if they need to be around other people at all. Everyone in the house should wash their hands often and clean surfaces that are touched a lot.
If you are sick and you have a baby, it's important to be extra careful when feeding or holding them. Even though experts do not know if the virus can be spread through breast milk, it is possible to pass it to your baby or other children through close contact. You can protect your baby by washing your hands often and wearing a face mask while you feed them. If possible, you might want to have another healthy adult feed your baby instead.
How can I help my child cope with stress and anxiety?
It is normal to feel anxious or worried about COVID-19. It's also normal to feel stressed or lonely when you can't do your normal activities or see friends and relatives. And it can be hard to manage work and child care when your family has to stay at home.
You can help your child by:
If your child is worried, you can remind them that most people do not get severely ill or die from COVID-19. It might also help to remind them that by staying home and wearing masks, your family is helping to protect other people in your community.
What if I have other questions?
Your child's doctor or nurse can help you with questions like:
The answers to these questions will depend on your specific situation.
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