What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a viral infection that's caused by a coronavirus. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic.

In children, COVID-19 infection is usually mild.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 in children?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children are:

• fever
• runny nose
• cough
• sore throat
• gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach ache

Other signs of COVID-19 are:

• headache
• fatigue (tiredness)
• irritability
• loss of appetite or poor feeding
• difficulty breathing

Children are less likely to get severe illness with COVID-19 than adults. In fact, many children who get COVID-19 may have no symptoms at all.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes COVID-19?

COVID-19 infection is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.

How is COVID-19 spread?

The COVID-19 virus is spread mainly through close contact with infected people. This happens when:

• The virus gets into the air when people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, talk and breathe. You can then breathe in the virus.
• You touch your eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.

The virus also spreads more easily in poorly ventilated and crowded indoor spaces.

People generally get COVID-19 symptoms about 3 days after exposure to the virus.

When should I see my doctor?

You should get medical care for your child if they get COVID-19 and:

• are younger than 3 months old
• have a chronic (ongoing) illness
• have problems with their immune system
• have a physical or intellectual disability

Contact your doctor if your child's symptoms get worse or if you are concerned.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is COVID-19 treated?

There is no specific treatment for mild COVID-19 infections.

Self-care at home

If your child has mild symptoms, they can be cared for at home.

You can treat COVID-19 at home in the same way you would treat them with a bad cold or the flu.

• Encourage your child to rest.
• Make sure they drink lots of fluids.
• You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or fever (ibuprofen should not be used for children under 3 months of age).
• Use a saline nose spray if their nose is blocked.

Does my child need to isolate at home?

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, you no longer have to keep them at home. However, staying at home protects the people in your community.

It's recommended that your child stays at home for 7 days or until their symptoms have gone. They should also not visit high-risk places like hospitals and aged care homes.

If your child has COVID-19, it's best to keep them home from childcare or school until they are better.

Can COVID-19 be prevented in children?

Good hygiene, physical distancing and face masks can help to protect your child from COVID-19.

Help your child to:

• Wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Cough or sneeze into their elbow and away from other people.
• Throw tissues away after use and wash hands afterwards.

Can my child be vaccinated for COVID-19?

It's recommended that young children with medical conditions who are at risk of severe COVID-19 disease are vaccinated.

Visit healthdirect's page on COVID-19 vaccination for more information on vaccines available for children.

Does my child need to wear a face mask?

Generally, children aged 5 years and under do not need to wear masks.

But you may choose to put a mask on your child if they have contact with someone who is at high risk of developing severe disease from COVID-19. In this case, you should choose a mask that covers their nose, mouth and chin.

Always supervise young children when they're wearing a mask.

Complications of COVID-19 in children

Some children may get complications after COVID-19 infection. These are very rare:

• paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome — an illness 2 to 6 weeks after having COVID-19
• deep vein thrombosis — swelling, pain or a change in colour of their calf muscle or leg
• long-COVID — covers a range of symptoms that last for months after the COVID-19 infection

How do I talk to my children about COVID-19?

It's likely that your child has heard a lot about COVID-19. Talking openly and reassuringly about COVID-19 with your child will help them understand and ease any anxiety.

Resources and support

The best person to speak to is your doctor or child health nurse. They will be able to give you the information and advice you need about COVID-19.

Visit healthdirect to learn more about COVID-19, including information in languages other than English.

Visit the Department of Health and Aged Care to learn more about children and COVID-19 vaccines.