New Coronavirus (1535)

What is it?

What are the signs that your child may be sick with COVID-19?

• Fever
• Chills or repeated shaking with chills
• Cough
• Throwing up or feeling like throwing up
• Diarrhea
• Hard or fast breathing 
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Congestion or runny nose

What to expect:

• Fevers usually go away in about 3 to 4 days.
• Most children start to feel better within 5 days. Sometimes it can take up to 14 days.
• A cough can last for 14 to 21 days. It should not get worse or cause trouble breathing. If that happens, call your child's doctor.  

Testing for COVID-19

Your child is being tested for COVID-19. You will receive the results after they are ready.

• If your child was tested for COVID-19, we will call or send a MyChart message as soon as possible. Results may take up to 3 to 5 days, but often come back sooner.
• If your child uses on MyChart and the test is negative, you will get the result, but you may not get a call or a message. Follow the advice below.
• For testing other family members, call your doctor, call 211, or visit https://www.impactinc.org/covid-19-testing-sites/  or https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm   

COVID test result and your child's symptoms and the recommendations

Your child has a positive COVID-19 test   

(Your child has COVID-19)

• Your child should stay home until:
  • Signs of illness are getting better and they have no fever for 24 hours (without taking medicine for fever).
  • After signs of illness are better, your child should protect others for 5 more days.  This includes wearing a mask, washing their hands, and watching their distance. 

• If your child has no signs of illness, they can leave home. They should protect others for 5 more days.  This includes wearing a mask, washing their hands and watching their distance.  

Your child has a negative COVID-19 test but has signs of illness, without COVID-19 exposure

(Your child does not have COVID-19 at the time of testing)

• Your child should stay home until signs of illness are getting better and they have no fever for 24 hours (without taking medicine for fever.)

Your child has signs of illness and is waiting for COVID-19 test result

• Your child should stay home until signs of illness are getting better and they have no fever for 24 hours (without taking medicine for fever.)
• When you get the test results, follow steps based on test result.

Your child has signs of illness but has not been tested for COVID-19

• Your child should stay home until signs of illness are getting better and they have no fever for 24 hours (without taking medicine for fever.)
• After signs of illness are better, your child should protect others for 5 more days. This includes wearing a mask, washing their hands, and watching their distance. 

Your child has been exposed to COVID-19 but does not have signs of illness

• Your child can leave home.  They should protect others for 5 days.  This includes wearing a mask, washing their hands, and watching their distance.
• If your child starts showing signs of illness, follow the steps below.

Your child has been exposed to COVID-19 and has signs of illness

• Your child should stay home until signs of illness are getting better and they have no fever for 24 hours (without taking medicine for fever.)

• After signs of illness are better, your child should protect other for 5 days.  This includes wearing a mask, washing their hands, and watching their distance.

   

Type of test needed:

• If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, they may be tested using a home test.
• If your child has NOT tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, they should get tested using a lab PCR/NAAT test.
• If your child’s test is positive, follow recommendations in the “COVID-19 confirmed positive test”  above.

Counting Days

When and how long to protect others depends on if you have symptoms. Here is how to count days.

If you were exposed to a person who tested positive:

• Day 0 is the most recent day you were in close contact with them.
• Close contact means you were within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes total in 24 hours.
• See chart above.

If you have signs of illness and get a positive test result: 

• Day 0 is the day you start to notice signs of illness.
• Day 1 is the first full day after you notice signs of illness. 

If you do not have signs of illness but get a positive test result: 

• Day 0 is the day you were tested.
• Day 1 is the first full day after your test.

If you start to have signs of illness after you tested positive:

• Restart your count on the first day you have signs of illness. 
• Day 0 is the first day of signs of illness no matter how many days since your positive test.  

To help your child feel better if they are feeling ill:

• There is no medicine that can make the virus go away faster. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Your child's body will naturally fight off the virus. It will take time. 
• Give medicine for fever and or pain: Children over the age two months old may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for pain, fussiness, or fever. Ibuprofen may also be used for children over the age of six months. 
• Use saline (salt-water) spray or drops in your child's nose. This helps to loosen mucous.
• Honey can be useful to treat a cough. Infants under 1 year should not get honey. If your child is over 1 year, give a 1/2 teaspoon of honey. For children older than 6 years, give 1 teaspoon of honey. Honey works better than most cough medicines you can buy.
• Only children over age 6 years old can have over-the-counter cough medicine.
• Your child needs a lot of rest and fluids:

○ For infants under 1 year old: offer breast milk, formula, or Pedialyte. Do not give plain water.
○ For children over 1 year of age: offer water, Gatorade, apple juice, or popsicles.

• Use a cool mist humidifier in your child's room to help your child breathe more easily. Be sure to clean it often. Use the directions from the company that made it.
• Suction baby's nose to help your child breathe easier. This helps before eating and sleeping. 

Go to the Emergency Room if your child:

• Is breathing faster, harder, or says they have more pain with breathing.
• Is too sleepy or hard to wake up the way you usually wake them up. 
• Is not able to drink fluids.
• Has signs of dehydration, like not crying tears, dry mouth, not peeing for 8 to10 hours, or poor activity.

Call your child's doctor right away if your child has: 
Fever of 100.4° F or higher for 4 days or longer and one or more of the following:

• Severe belly pain
• A red rash
• Red, cracked lips
• Red eyes
• Swollen glands on one or both sides of the neck
• Swollen hands or feet
  
  

Call your child's doctor right away if your child has fever of 100.4^o or higher for 4 days or longer and one of the following:

• Severe belly pain
• A red rash
• Red, cracked lips
• Red eyes
• Swollen glands on one or both sides of the neck
• Swollen hands or feet

Call your child's doctor, clinic, or your city or county health department with questions or concerns if your child has: 

• A sore throat that lasts more than 4 days or is more painful.
• A fever of 100.4° F or higher that lasts more than 4 days.
• A cough that last more than 10 days or gets worse after 7 days.
• A runny nose that lasts more than 14 days.
• Yellow drainage from the eyes that starts and lasts more than a day.

 
More information about COVID-19
  
To stop the spread of the virus:

Get the COVID-19 vaccine

• We strongly recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine and booster if you, your child, or your family members are eligible.
• The COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from getting very sick or dying from COVID-19.

Watch your distance (6 feet at least)

• The closer you are to someone who has a virus, the more likely you are to get it. 
• Avoid crowds.  Keep your distance from others who have signs of illness. 

Wear a mask or cloth face covering

• There are many types of masks.  Some protect better than others.
• Two layer masks are best. A mask is better than a gaiter or a face shield.
• Masks should not have a valve.  Valves can let the virus out of the mask. 
• If you or your child are at high risk of getting very sick, wear a high-quality mask when you are in public. 
• Wear a mask when you are sick at home to help protect others in your home.
• Masks should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old.  Masks don't let young children breathe well.
• Wash hands with soap and water before and after putting on your mask.
• Try not to touch your face, even when wearing a mask or a cloth face covering. 

Wash your hands 

• Everyone at home should wash their hands often.  This helps to stop spreading germs.
• Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (Sing the ABCs!)
• Make sure you and your children always wash hands when you come home, before making food, before eating, and after using the bathroom or changing a diaper.
• If you can't get to soap and water, use a hand sanitizer to clean hands. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to kill any germs.

Take steps for cleaner air

• Bring fresh air into your home.  Open doors and windows.  Use exhaust fans.
• Use a portable, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner.
• Spend more time outdoors.  That is where airflow is best.

Cover coughs and sneezes using the inside of your elbow or a tissue. Wash your hands after coughing or and sneezing. 

Keep those who are sick in separate rooms as much as you can. Use separate bathrooms when able.

Do not share dishes, cups, eating utensils, towels or bedding.  Wash these items should be washed with soap and water after being used.

Clean and disinfect your home often.  Use regular household cleaning sprays or wipes.

Think about getting tested if you have signs of illness, were exposed to COVID-19, or before gathering with others.

Return to Sports

If your child tested positive for COVID-19 and plays sports, contact their Primary Care Provider to discuss what is recommended before to returning to play or practice.

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents