COVID-19 Diagnosed or Suspected

Is this your child's symptom?

• Positive test for COVID-19 (home kit or lab) OR
• Child has symptoms of COVID-19 AND:
• known exposure (close contact) to COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks OR
• COVID-19 cases are widespread in your community OR
• suspected diagnosis was made by your doctor
• Care Guide Update: February 20, 2024, Version 22

COVID-19 Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Trusted Sources for Accurate Information: CDC and AAP
   • To meet the high demand for COVID-19 information, when possible, find your answers online. Here are the most reliable websites:
     • CDC website: www.cdc.gov
     • American Academy of Pediatrics parent website: www.healthychildren.org
   • Always follow the most current CDC recommendations if they are different than those in this care guide.
2. COVID-19 Symptoms:
   • The most common symptoms are cough, sore throat, headache and fever. Some patients progress to shortness of breath (trouble breathing).
   • Other common symptoms are chills, shivering (shaking), runny nose, muscle pain, fatigue (tiredness) and loss of smell or taste.
   • The CDC also includes the following less-common symptoms: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
   • Some people may have very mild symptoms. Some can have no symptoms, but still spread the disease.
3. COVID-19 Facts:
   • Incubation period: average 3 to 5 days (range 2 to 14 days) after coming in contact with the secretions of a person who has COVID-19. Incubation periods can vary depending on the variant.
   • No Symptoms, but Infected: some infected patients have no symptoms.
   • Mild Infections: most people with symptoms have a mild illness, much like normal flu or a bad cold. The symptoms usually last 2 weeks.
   • Severe Infections: in general, severe infection refers to patients who develop trouble breathing from viral pneumonia. Unvaccinated adults have the highest rate of this complication. Many of these need to be admitted to the hospital. People with complications generally recover in 3 to 6 weeks. Severe infections are very rare in people who are up to date with vaccines and boosters. Older adults are at the greatest risk.
   • Deaths: children generally have a mild illness and recover quickly. Pediatric deaths are rare. Older adults, especially those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, obesity or weak immune systems, have the highest death rates.
   • Vaccine: safe and effective vaccines are available. At this time, COVID-19 vaccines have been tested and are FDA approved for ages 6 months and older. Stay up to date by getting all recommended shots when eligible. Check the CDC website to see if you and your child are current on your vaccines.
   • Breakthrough cases are COVID-19 infections that happen despite vaccine protection. They are more common with new variants. Many of these infections do not cause any symptoms. The vaccine prevents almost all hospital admissions and deaths.
   • Treatment: anti-viral treatments for COVID-19 are available. They are mainly used for high risk patients and those who are hospitalized.
   • Prevention: the COVID-19 vaccine and booster are the best way to prevent serious infections.
4. COVID-19 - How it is Spread:
   • COVID-19 is spread from person to person.
   • The virus spreads when respiratory droplets are produced when a person coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings. The infected droplets can then be inhaled by a nearby person or land on the surface of their eyes.
   • Most infected people also have respiratory secretions on their hands. These secretions get transferred to healthy people on doorknobs, faucet handles, etc. The virus then gets transferred to healthy people when they touch their face or rub their eyes.
   • These are how most respiratory viruses spread.
5. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C):
   • MIS-C is a very rare and severe complication associated with COVID-19.
   • Symptoms: The most common symptoms are fever with a red rash, red eyes, red lips and red palms and soles. Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea also occur. Half of the patients develop trouble breathing. MIS-C always has more than two symptoms.
   • Onset of symptoms: usually about 4 weeks after COVID-19 infection and apparent recovery.
   • Peak Age: 8 years. Age range: 6 months to 21 years.
   • Treatment: children with MIS-C need to be admitted to the hospital. MIS-C is treatable with medications, including IV immune serum globulin and steroids.
   • Outcome: most children make a full recovery.

When to Call for COVID-19 Diagnosed or Suspected

Call 911 Now

• Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath, can barely speak)
• Lips or face are bluish now
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Trouble breathing, but not severe (includes tight breathing and hard breathing)
• Ribs are pulling in with each breath (called retractions)
• Breathing is much faster than normal
• Lips or face have turned bluish during coughing
• Wheezing (high-pitched purring or whistling sound with breathing out)
• Stridor (harsh sound with breathing in)
• Chest pain or pressure and can't take a deep breath
• Sore throat with serious symptoms (such as can't swallow fluids or new-onset drooling)
• Muscle pains with serious symptoms (such as can't walk or can barely walk)
• Headache with serious symptoms (such as worst headache ever, confused, weak, stiff neck)
• Dehydration suspected. No urine in more than 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
• Weak immune system, such as HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
• High-Risk child. This includes lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other serious chronic disease.
• Age less than 12 weeks old with fever
• Fever higher than 104° F (40° C)
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Nonstop coughing spells
• Age less than 3 months old with any cough
• Earache or ear discharge
• Sinus pain (not just congestion)
• Fever lasts more than 3 days
• Fever returns after being gone for more than 24 hours
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Care Advice

Diagnosed or Suspected COVID-19 with Mild Symptoms - Treatment

COVID-19 Infection: What You Should Know about It

• Your child has been diagnosed as having COVID-19 by a positive test (home kit or lab) OR
• You or your doctor suspect COVID-19 because it is widespread in your community and your child has developed symptoms that match.
• Get a COVID-19 test if you have COVID-19 symptoms or had possible exposure. See Testing section below.
• Most infections are mild, especially in children.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Treatment of Symptoms

• The treatment is the same whether your child has COVID-19, influenza or some other respiratory virus.
• Your child should stay home until:
• fever is gone for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medicines)
• has only mild symptoms and is improving
• Reason: you want to protect other people from getting it.
• Treat the symptoms that are bothering your child the most. See other Care Guides (such as Sore Throat or Cough) for details of treatment, if needed.
• Antiviral treatments have been developed for patients who are high risk for complications. They work best when given early. Check with your doctor for the most current information.
• Antibiotics are not helpful for viral infections.
• You don't need to call or see your doctor unless your child is at high risk for complications, develops trouble breathing or becomes worse in any other way.

Fever Treatment

• For fevers higher than 102° F (39° C) you may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the patient is uncomfortable.
• For fevers between 100° to 102° F (37.8° to 39° C), fever medicines are not needed. Reason: fevers turn on your body's immune system. Fever helps fight the infection.
• Exception: if the patient also has pain, treat it.
• Fluids: offer cool fluids in unlimited amounts. Reason: to prevent dehydration. For children younger than 6 months, only give formula or breastmilk. Staying well-hydrated also helps the body sweat and give off heat.

Cough Treatment

• Age 6 Months to 1 Year:
• Give warm clear fluids (such as apple juice or lemonade) to thin the mucus and relax the airway. Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 mL) up to 4 times per day when coughing.
• If nothing else helps: give a small amount of corn syrup. Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon (1 mL). Can give up to 4 times a day when coughing. Caution: avoid honey until 1 year old. Reason: risk for botulism.
• Age 1 year and older: Use honey, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) as needed as a homemade cough medicine. It can thin the secretions and loosen the cough. If honey is not available, can use corn syrup. OTC cough syrups with honey in them are also available. They are not more effective than plain honey and cost much more per dose.
• Age 6 years and older: Use cough drops (throat drops) to decrease the tickle in the throat. If not available, can use hard candy. Avoid cough drops before 6 years. Reason: risk of choking.
• Over the Counter (OTC) cough medicines are not recommended. Reason: no proven benefit for children. Honey has been shown to work better.
• Don't use OTC cough medicines under 6 years of age. Reason: cough is a protective reflex.

Sore Throat Pain Relief:

• Age greater than 1 year: can sip warm fluids such as chicken broth or apple juice. Some children prefer cold foods such as popsicles or ice cream.
• Age greater than 6 years: can also suck on hard candy or lollipops. Butterscotch seems to help.
• Age greater than 8 years: can also gargle. Use warm water with a little table salt added. A liquid antacid can be added instead of salt. Use Mylanta or the store brand. No prescription is needed.
• Pain medicine: use if pain interferes with swallowing. Not needed for mild pain.

Muscle Pains - Treatment:

• COVID-19 can normally cause muscle pains and body aches.
• Massage: gently massage any sore muscles.
• Stretching: gently stretch any sore muscles.
• Apply Heat: use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, 3 times daily.
• Warm bath: for widespread muscle pains, consider a warm bath for 20 minutes 2 times a day. Gently exercise the sore muscles under water.
• Pain medicine: for widespread body aches, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) every 4 hours OR ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) every 6 hours as needed. Not needed for mild aches.

Fluids - Stay well Hydrated

• Drink lots of fluids. Water is best.
• Goal: keep the patient well hydrated.
• It loosens up any phlegm in the lungs. Then it's easier to cough up.
• It also helps the body sweat and give off heat.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Shortness of breath occurs
• Trouble breathing occurs
• Your child becomes worse

How to Protect Others - When You or Your Child Are Sick:

• Stay home until fever is gone for 24 hours and symptoms are mild and improving. Do not allow visitors.
• Do Not go to school.
• Cover the Cough. Cough and sneeze into your shirt sleeve or inner elbow. Don't cough into your hand or the air. If available, sneeze into a tissue and throw it into a trash can.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. After coughing or sneezing are important times.
• Don't share glasses, plates or eating utensils.
• Carefully avoid any contact with people 65 years and older and people with weak immune systems or other chronic health problems.

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 Testing Questions

• If COVID-19 is suspected, get a test to know for sure. You can't tell by symptoms. Reason: most respiratory viruses cause similar symptoms.
• Home self-test kits are easy to get at many grocery and drug stores.
• Most doctor's offices, retail clinics and urgent care centers also offer testing.
• Here are some facts that may answer some of your questions:
• Diagnostic tests are performed on nasal or mouth secretions. The tests can tell us if you have a COVID-19 infection now. Timing is important on when to do this test:
• With Symptoms. Get a test within 3 days of onset of symptoms.
• Without Symptoms and a COVID-19 close contact. You can get a test on day 5 after the last day of exposure.

COVID-19 Prevention

COVID-19 Vaccine - Get Your COVID-19 Shot(s):

• Stay current with your COVID-19 shot(s). Vaccines have saved more lives than any other public health action. They are the most powerful weapon we have against deadly infectious diseases. Follow the science.
• Safe and effective vaccines are now available for people age 6 months and older.
• Get your COVID-19 vaccine(s). It could save your life and protect your family. To see if you are current with your vaccine(s), check the CDC website.
• Vaccine Sites: find a nearby vaccine site at vaccines.gov or call your doctor's office.

COVID-19 - How to Protect Yourself and Family from Catching It - The Basics:

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine(s) when eligible. It is your best protection against this serious infection.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Consider wearing a face mask when community spread is high.
• Wash hands often with soap and water (very important). Always do this before you eat.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is not available. Remember: soap and water work better.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean. Germs on the hands can get into your body this way.
• Don't share glasses, plates or eating utensils.
• Don't shake hands. Greet others with a smile and a nod.

Keep Your Mind and Body Strong:

• Get your body ready to fight the COVID-19 virus.
• Get enough sleep (very important).
• Keep your heart strong. Walk or exercise every day. Take the stairs. Caution: avoid physical exhaustion.
• Think positive thoughts.
• Stay well-hydrated.
• Eat healthy meals.
• Avoid the over-use of anti-fever medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Fever fights infections and ramps up your immune system.

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 01/16/2025

Last Revised: 01/13/2025

Copyright 2000-2024. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.