Coronavirus symptoms are similar for kids and adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common ones in children are cough and fever, but can include sore throat, stomach ache and others. Without testing, this makes it nearly impossible to know if your child has COVID-19 or something else, says Dr. Susan Coffin, attending physician for the division of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“An isolated mild runny nose is not likely to be coronavirus,” says Coffin. “But when we think about kids getting a runny nose, we know that often comes with other symptoms, such as decreased eating, fever, or cough, and coupled with any of those symptoms, a runny nose may be enough to need a test.”
You shouldn’t normally let your kid leave the house with a fever. Yet it’s common to send kids to school with a lingering cold. But now, experts say, always err on the side of caution.
“If your child’s sick and you think they may even just have a cold, you should keep them home and not have them around other people,” says Shapiro.
What if my kid has allergies and their nose is always running?
Here’s where guidance slightly differs. You don’t necessarily need to call your doctor at the first sign of every sniffle.
“Parents know their child best, and parents’ intuition is really important,” says Shapiro. “What you need to be aware of is when your child’s having symptoms you wouldn’t expect based on their prior medical history.”
If your child gets sick, notify their doctor and school immediately. Your pediatrician will help determine if your kid should get tested based on their symptoms, likelihood of exposure and the infection rates and availability of tests in your area. The CDC advises that school-age children be prioritized for testing if:
They have signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
They have had close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a total of 15 minutes or more) with a person with confirmed or probable infection.
They have increased likelihood for exposure.
They have no symptoms but have had close contact with a person with confirmed or probable infection.
How long do I need to keep my kid at home if they get sick?
It depends on whether your child got tested and those results.
If your kid tests negative, they can return to school once their symptoms have improved.
If your child tests positive, follow the CDC’s guidance: If symptoms subside and your child was isolated at home for at least 10 days, they can return to school, without a doctor’s note or negative test results.
If your child wasn’t tested, they need to be evaluated by a doctor. If coronavirus can’t be ruled out, your child should be considered a presumed case of COVID-19 and isolate according to CDC’s recommendations.
If your child doesn’t have symptoms but was exposed to someone with COVID-19, the CDC advises a 14-day quarantine, even if tested and the results are negative.
