How Does Covid Affect Children

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, most of us are quite familiar with the major symptoms to screen ourselves and our children for. Even young children throughout Fort Worth, TX, can identify that a cough or a fever are possible symptoms of coronavirus. Because there is so much conflicting information available about COVID-19, it can be hard to understand how the virus affects children versus adults, and if there is a difference in the symptoms between different age groups.

As we are well into the flu season, it is more important than ever to know how to properly recognize the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in children. It also is important to know how to protect both yourself and your child from contracting and/or spreading this dangerous virus. The knowledgeable team of ER doctors and nurse practitioners at University Urgent Care is committed to offering accurate and reliable COVID-19 testing at our Fort Worth urgent care if you or your child develop symptoms that suggest you have been exposed to coronavirus.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus in kids?

Ultimately, anyone can contract COVID-19, and COVID-19 symptoms are fairly similar, regardless of your age. In many cases, however, kids with COVID-19 have much more mild symptoms than adults do. Also, both adults and children can be asymptomatic, meaning they receive a positive COVID-19 test without showing any symptoms at all.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of coronavirus include:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Sore throat
  • Body or muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Loss of taste or smell

While children with COVID-19 can have mild symptoms or be completely asymptomatic, some children can, in fact, experience serious complications from COVID-19.

  • Children who are at an increased risk for severe illness related to coronavirus include:
  • Those under 12 months old
  • Children with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, etc.)
  • Overweight children

This makes it important to know where to get a COVID test in Fort Worth, TX when you suspect your child may have coronavirus.

How can I tell if my child has COVID-19 or flu?

Because so many of the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to flu symptoms, it can be difficult to determine which illness your child has without being tested. If you or your child is exhibiting symptoms indicative of the flu or COVID-19, visit University Urgent Care to get tested for both viruses ASAP. We offer influenza testing and two forms of COVID-19 testing, including the antigen test and the coronavirus antibody test.

How is COVID-19 spread?

Research states that COVID-19 is spread primarily through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s nose or mouth. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect yourself and others, you should:

  • Wear a mask or a face covering
  • Practice social distancing
  • Wash your hands often and/or use hand sanitizer when available
  • Avoid close contact with persons that live outside of your household
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly
  • Self-screen for symptoms regularly

Even when a person experiences an asymptomatic case of COVID-19, he or she can still spread the virus to others. Because of this, it is recommended by the CDC that adults and children over the age of two should always wear masks when in public, especially when social distancing is not possible and/or you are in close contact with high-risk individuals, people that live outside of your household, and any infected persons you may be caring for.

What should I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19?

When waiting for your child’s COVID-19 test results, they should stay home from school if they aren’t remote learning. Also, avoid contact with anyone that doesn’t live in your home. If your child tests positive for COVID-19, you should notify his or her school immediately (if they’re attending in-person learning) and anyone that your child may have come into contact with. Because you will need to care for your child, it is important to protect yourself and other family members from contracting the virus as much as possible by:

  • Keeping the sick child in their room as much as possible
  • Having them use a separate bathroom (if applicable)
  • Having them eat meals separately from other family members
  • Having all family members wear a mask
  • Cleaning and disinfecting regularly
  • Limiting direct contact with them
  • Screening yourself and other family members for COVID-19 symptoms regularly

While it may be difficult to limit close physical contact, you can still provide comfort and care as your child recovers from COVID-19 while also protecting yourself and others from contracting the virus.

Prevent the spread of coronavirus and get your child tested for COVID-19 in North Texas

Whatever someone’s age, anyone can contract coronavirus and develop mild to severe symptoms, including a sore throat, cough, or fever. While children are often asymptomatic or experience more mild symptoms than adults, they can still transmit the illness to a healthy individual. Ensure the health and safety of yourself, your children, and others by understanding the symptoms of COVID-19 and know when to get you or your child tested.

When you suspect that you or your child have been exposed to COVID-19 or have coronavirus symptoms, visit University Urgent Care in Fort Worth, TX to get accurate and quick COVID-19 test results. We serve the Tanglewood, Frisco Heights, Paschal, and TCU neighborhoods, respectively. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we do offer online consultations for illnesses that don’t have coinciding symptoms to COVID-19.

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