Covid-19 and Children: Update

This update is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the care of your doctor.
Should you have any symptoms please seek care immediately.

Covid-19 infection in children

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child from Covid-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it new challenges for families. It is important to note that children of all ages can get COVID-19. In surveillance studies, from various countries, children typically account for up to 15% of laboratory-confirmed cases. An increase in the detection of cases in KZN has been noted, most likely due to the highly infectious nature of the Delta variant; it is the 1st wave that schools have remained fully open, sports and socialising have resumed; and many are lessening their personal adherence to protective mechanisms, due to Covid-19-fatigue.

How will I know if my child is sick with Covid-19?

Children who are COVID-19 positive, are often asymptomatic and are therefore unwitting carriers of the disease. Up to 80% are asymptomatic or have mild disease. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath, nasal symptoms – congestion, rhinorrhoea, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting and/or diarrhoea; and loss of smell (often of sudden onset).

When should I get my child tested for Covid-19?

If a child has the symptoms above, they should be tested. A positive contact history or family member with an acute respiratory infection, increases the risk of Covid-19 infection. Many children acquire the infection from household contacts. A close contact is someone who you had face-to-face contact with, within 1 metre or were in a closed space, for more than 15 minutes. An infected person can spread SARS-CoV-2 starting from 2 days before they have any symptoms.

Caring for a child who is sick with Coronavirus?

Children with COVID-19 and mild symptoms (E.g., fever, cough, pharyngitis) generally should be managed at home unless they have a chronic condition that increases their risk of severe disease. Strict isolation is required, for 10 days, after symptoms started in mild cases. Contacts of positive cases also need to quarantine for 10 days. It is useful to keep a thermometer and pulse oximeter at home. Children with mild acute covid-19 benefit from usual supportive care measures, including rest, hydration, and antipyretics as needed. It is recommended that you consult with your family doctor, to diagnose and oversee the care of your child, while they are ill.

For children with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, obesity, cardiac disease, diabetes, renal disease and
immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), close monitoring is very important, as the risk for severe disease is higher in these patients. In a very small number of cases, SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a potentially severe inflammatory syndrome in children and young adults (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children [MIS-C]). The signs of this condition are a worsening state, difficulty in breathing, lethargy, high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, conjunctivitis, severe headaches and altered levels of consciousness. If this occurs, please seek treatment urgently.

Staying safe

Simple prevention measures, including mask wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing remain crucial to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in children and adults. These basic methods work. Schools need to continue screening children daily; adhering to masks, hand hygiene and social distancing; good ventilation in the classrooms; and case reporting and contact tracing.

Parents need to continue limiting social engagements, out of school as well. It is important to also be aware of any heightened emotional/psychological and learning needs your child may have, during this period, as well as seek support for yourself if needed. Parents can protect themselves and their children, by getting vaccinated.