Consider the child’s age and mental and physical well-being when caring for a child who is sick. Steps such as self-isolation can be stressful for young children.
Some caregivers select one person to be the caregiver, to help limit the spread in a household.
Children generally have milder COVID-19 symptoms than adults. However, in rare circumstances, children can become quite ill. Take your child immediately to your nearest emergency department or call 911 if your child:
Children generally have milder COVID-19 symptoms than adults. However, in rare circumstances, children can become quite ill. Take your child immediately to your nearest emergency department or call 911 if your child:
- is having difficulty breathing
- has blue lips or skin, or appears very pale
- red and/or swollen lips or tongue
- is coughing excessively, particularly with a fever
- is vomiting excessively, especially if there is blood in the vomit
- has diarrhea and vomiting, is not producing tears, and has not urinated for several hours
- has a high fever (greater than 39°C or 102.2° F), appears very sleepy, and has not improved with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
- is under three months of age and has a fever of 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) or greater
- pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
- new confusion
- inability to wake or stay awake
- severe abdominal pain
- spreading rash.
Learn more about Children and COVID-19 on the
Illness and Medical care page. A rare condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) can develop after a child or adolescents has had COVID-19. Learn more about
MIS-C.
