Pedemy · For parents

COVID-19 in children — tracker

Track symptoms, test results, fever and drinks during COVID, and note the date symptoms began for treatment decisions.

Use these notes with your child’s clinician. This tool does not diagnose illness, prescribe treatment or confirm that home care is safe.

Call 911 now

Call 911 or your local emergency number for trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure that does not go away, new confusion, trouble staying awake, or pale, gray or blue lips, skin or nail beds.

Get medical care now

Call the doctor now for fast or hard breathing, poor drinking, vomiting for more than 24 hours, a baby under 3 months with 100.4°F (38°C), or fever with belly pain, rash or red eyes weeks after COVID.

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Care reminders

COVID is a respiratory virus that most children get over at home in several days. A few, mostly those with certain health conditions, need medicine or hospital care, and a rare inflammatory illness called MIS-C can follow weeks later.
Rest, fluids and fever medicine help most children; stay home until 24 hours without fever.
Higher-risk children should call the doctor at the first symptoms, because treatment has a short window.

Read the guide

Sources

Common questions

How can I tell if my child has COVID or the flu?

You usually cannot by symptoms alone. A test tells them apart, and the doctor can order one when it changes treatment.

When can my child go back to school after COVID?

When a full day has passed without fever or fever medicine and your child is feeling better. Some schools have their own rules, so check with yours.

Can children take Paxlovid?

Yes, from age 12, when the child is at higher risk of severe illness. Younger high-risk children may be offered remdesivir instead.