COVID-19 Symptoms:  

• Most common: cough, fever, chills, shivering, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, stomach upset (pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)  
• Some patients progress to shortness of breath.  
• Some people have loss of taste and/or smell.  
• Some can have no symptoms, but still spread the disease.

Incubation Period: 

• average 5 days (range 2 to 10 days) after coming in contact with a person who has COVID-19.

No Symptoms but Infected: 

• Over 30% of infected patients have no symptoms.

Deaths: 

• Children generally have a mild illness and recover quickly. Pediatric deaths are rare.

Vaccines: 

• Safe and highly effective vaccines are available. At this time, vaccines have been tested and are FDA approved for children 6 months and older.  

Breakthrough cases: 

• COVID-19 infections that happen in someone who has been completely vaccinated against COVID, including recommended booster doses.  The vaccine prevents almost all complications, hospital admissions, and deaths.

Treatment: 

• New treatments for severe COVID-19 are available. They are mainly used for hospitalized patients and high-risk patients

• To meet the high demand for COVID-19 information and keep up with changes, you can trust these online sources. Here are the most reliable websites:
• CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
• American Academy of Pediatrics parent website: www.healthychildren.org
• Always follow the most current CDC recommendations if they are different than those in this document. 

• Like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 spreads by breathing in infected respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings.  
• Most infected people also have respiratory secretions on their hands which can be passed from person-to-person when touching frequently used objects. 

• If you develop new COVID-19 symptoms, you should test and mask right away.
• If you do not have symptoms and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and would benefit from treatment, you should test within 5 days.  
• If you do not have symptoms and have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe infection, you should mask indoors when around such people for 10 days. Consider testing within 5 days after the last exposure date (Day 0) and before contact with higher-risk people.  

• Your child must isolate at home if they have any symptoms and can return to activities and/or school when:
  • They are fever-free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medications AND
  • Their symptoms are mild and improving.
• If they are over 2 years old, it is recommended that they wear a mask indoors and avoid contact with high-risk individuals for 10 days. High-risk individuals include the elderly, those who live in care facilities, those who have immunocompromising conditions, and that put them at higher risk for serious illness.
• Patients who cannot wear a mask or are less than 2 years old should consider isolating for the full 10 days.  
• Follow-up if any breathing symptoms worsen or if your child is unable to drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. Go to the emergency department or seek immediate medical attention for any severe symptoms.  

• The treatment is the same whether you have COVID-19, influenza, or some other respiratory virus. Learn more about how to treat these common viral illnesses here.
• Use the supportive measures in the article above to treat the symptoms that are bothering your child the most.
• Antiviral treatments have been developed for some patients who are at high risk for complications. Please contact your healthcare team if you believe your child needs these medications.  
• Antibiotics are not helpful for viral infections.
• If your child is staying hydrated, breathing fine and overall comfortable, they don’t need to be seen for their COVID infection.

Learn more about these symptoms by clicking a button below:

• Do NOT Go to School or Work: Do not go to stores, restaurants, places of worship or other public places. Avoid public transportation or ride sharing. Leave the house only if you need to seek medical care. Your child’s healthcare team or local health department will tell you when it is safe to return. 
• Cover the Cough: Cough and sneeze into your shirt sleeve or inner elbow. Do not cough into your hand or the air. If available, sneeze into a tissue and throw it into trash can. 
• Wash Hands Often with Soap and Water: After coughing or sneezing are important times. 
• Do NOT Share Personal Household Items: Do not share glasses, plates, eating utensils or toothbrushes.