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Parent’s Guide

Parent’s Guide: Is My Child Sick with COVID-19?

If your child is feeling unwell, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a common cold, the flu, or COVID-19. Use this guide to help identify the symptoms, assess the risk, and know when to seek help.

1

🚨 When to Get Help

Call 911 Now

  • Breathing is severe (struggling for each breath, can barely speak).
  • Lips or face turn blue.
  • Your child looks very sick or you suspect a life-threatening emergency.

Call Doctor Now

  • Breathing Issues: Fast breathing, ribs pulling in with breaths, or wheezing/whistling sounds.
  • High Fever: Over 104° F (40° C).
  • Dehydration: No urine for 8+ hours, dry mouth, no tears.
  • Pain: Severe headache, stiff neck, or muscle pain so bad they can’t walk.
  • High Risk: Your child is under 12 weeks old with a fever, or has a chronic condition (diabetes, heart/lung disease, weak immune system).

Contact in 24hrs

  • Breathing slightly fast but playing/smiling.
  • Constant cough disrupting sleep.
  • Fever lasting more than 3 days.
2

✅The Quick Check: Could it be COVID?

Suspect COVID-19 immediately if your child fits one of the following profiles:

  • Profile A: They have already tested positive (using a home kit or lab test).
  • Profile B: They have symptoms of COVID-19 (see below) AND one of the following is true:
    • They had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 3-14 days.
    • COVID-19 cases are currently widespread in your community.
    • A doctor has suspected the diagnosis.
3

🔎Spotting the Symptoms

COVID-19 affects children differently than adults. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 5 days after exposure, though it can take up to 14 days.

Most Common Symptoms

  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Fever

Other Common Symptoms

  • Chills or shivering
  • Runny nose
  • Muscle pain or body aches
  • Fatigue (unusual tiredness)
  • Loss of smell or taste

Less Common (But Possible)

  • Nausea or Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath (trouble breathing)

Note: Some children have “Mild Infections” that look exactly like a bad cold. Others may have no symptoms at all but can still spread the virus.

4

How to Know for Sure (Testing)

Because symptoms like cough and fever are common in many illnesses, you cannot diagnose COVID-19 by symptoms alone.

  • If your child has symptoms: Test immediately or within 3 days of symptom onset.
  • If your child has NO symptoms but was exposed: Test on Day 5 after the exposure.
5

⚠️Watch Out for “MIS-C”

There is a rare but serious condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) that can happen about 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection.

Check for these warning signs a month after recovery:

  • Fever paired with a red rash.
  • Redness in the eyes, lips, palms, or soles of feet.
  • Stomach symptoms: Abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • This condition is treatable but requires immediate hospital care.
6

😷Preventing the Spread

If you suspect your child is sick:

  1. Isolate: Keep them home until their fever is gone for 24 hours (without meds) AND symptoms are mild/improving.
  2. Protect: For 5 days after isolation, they should wear a mask and avoid the elderly or those with weak immune systems.
  3. Hygiene: The virus spreads through respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing) and touching contaminated surfaces. Wash hands frequently.
7

📋Summary of Care

  • Fluids: Keep them hydrated. Water is best.
  • Fever: Treat fevers >102°F with acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the child is uncomfortable.
  • Cough: Honey can help for children over 1 year old. (Do not give honey to infants under 1 year).

Medically Reviewed by Dr Michael Villadelgado
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you use it. If you are unsure, always call your doctor.