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Learning to identify early warning signs of COVID-19 is something that most people wouldn’t have expected at the beginning of this year, but here we are! Staying educated on the latest COVID-19 information and knowing how to detect symptoms in yourself is an essential part to not just protecting your own health, but the health of your community. Since the virus is so new, health experts still have plenty to learn! One of the things that posed many unanswered questions in the beginning but has now become clearer is how COVID-19 affects children. Let’s discuss some of the latest information so you can be prepared to identify COVID-19 symptoms in your child and know what to expect.
Which Children Are at the Highest Risk?
Any child can technically get COVID-19, but some are at a higher risk than others. There is no simple list of every condition that may make a child high risk. Any child with a chronic or complex medical problem, an immune disease, obesity, or asthma, is at a higher risk of contracting a severe case of COVID-19. Babies under 1 year of age are at an increased risk too. The most accurate way to determine if your child is high risk is to discuss their medical history, and any current medical concerns, with a doctor.
Common Symptoms
Not every child who is exposed to COVID-19 will display symptoms. Those that don’t are referred to as an asymptomatic patient. For those that do display symptoms, they can range in intensity and the number of symptoms present. Common symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever or chills
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Sudden loss of taste or smell
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Nadal congestion or runny nose
What to Do if Your Child is Sick
If you child begins displaying symptoms of COVID-19, stay calm. Keep your child home and contact their pediatrician or AFC Urgent Care Braintree right away. The medical provider can discuss your concerns over the phone or video chat to determine what the best next steps are. If your child needs COVID-19 testing or prescription medication to manage their symptoms, AFC Urgent Care Braintree can provide those services 7 days a week! Flexible scheduling options allow your child to get the care they need, when they need it.
For more information about COVID-19 in your area, contact AFC Urgent Care today.
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