Photography by SDI Productions / E+ / via Getty Images
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A mid adult father helps his young son put on a protective face mask before leaving their home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Runny noses, coughs, and aches are common, especially during the winter season. Which symptoms should prompt COVID-19 concerns for a parent? Kids’ symptoms appear to be milder [than adults]; only about half have a fever. Loss of taste and smell are relatively specific symptoms that raise concern. If your kids have been in big groups of people, in close proximity to people not wearing masks for more than 15 minutes, or have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, that would raise my alert. It’s tricky, but it’s important to be vigilant about your kids and call your pediatrician for advice.
What cases have you seen that may show how the virus is transmitting to kids? People are just starting to be systematic about what their contacts were. Preliminarily, it seems [for] most who tested positive…their only other contact is an adult in the house. That’s the data now as schools aren’t open and people are largely keeping to themselves. With recent larger gatherings just occurring, we have to be careful and wait and see what those effects have been.
Is there any safe way to gather with family and friends for upcoming holidays? If we are in a situation where we do not have a vaccine, we still have to be very careful. The mortality rate…is high over age 65 in general, so those populations have to be really cautious and perhaps choose to not join in person. Virtual gatherings are a safe option.
What should parents expect for flu season intersecting with COVID-19? Influenza is always unpredictable. With current greater attention to social distancing, masking, and hand hygiene, we do wonder if we might see less transmission of other viruses this winter. In the southern hemisphere, where it’s now their traditional flu season, we have seen a decrease in cases. So it is possible. The flu shot is still recommended to anyone over 6 months of age.
Are there sports or hobbies that parents should be more cautious about than others? A group of doctors issued guidelines on sports, like keeping kids practicing in small pods to limit exposure. Sports with longer contact time and closer proximity may have more transmission risk. We are still trying to understand the safety of band and choir regarding aerosols; singing may generate smaller particles that stay in the air longer. Right now, it’s all based on limited data and limited ability to test.
When kids return to the classroom, what can parents do to help younger kids stay safe? Wearing a mask seems to be the single most important thing we can all do. We have been pleasantly surprised at younger kids’ ability to wear masks. Tell kids why it’s important. Let them wear it for a few minutes and for longer periods of time. I’m also thrilled to see that people are doing hand hygiene and it’s become rote to have kids cleaning their hands.
What restrictions should parents put around their teens’ socializing and activities? Set safety rules, and hold kids accountable. Have a daily conversation about their plans, and check in about what they're doing. If a child doesn’t have underlying health conditions, it’s a reasonable risk to have a public-facing job. Businesses putting smart and simple practices in place make it possible to operate safely. For babysitting, you have to think about the household environment, their comings and goings, and the family’s expectations.
About the Doctor
Dr. Alexis Elward is St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s chief medical officer, a professor at the Washington University School of Medicine, and a pediatric infectious disease expert.
