from LONG COVID ESSENTIALS
a resources series by The Sick Times x Long COVID Justice

There is conflicting information in the media regarding the risk children face from COVID-19 and their chances of later developing Long COVID. Here’s where the research stands as of November 2024.

How likely are children to get COVID-19 and Long COVID?

• Children are about as likely as adults to get COVID-19. They account for 18% of all US COVID-19 cases between 2020 and 2023.
• Children are also at risk of Long COVID. One major review paper estimates that between 10 and 20% of children and young adults have long-term symptoms after COVID-19.
• Long COVID appears to be more common in adolescents (ages 12-17) and in girls, though more research is needed on Long COVID and gender among kids.

How sick do children get?

• Children older than one are less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19. But the virus can be especially dangerous for babies, particularly if their gestational parent is not vaccinated during pregnancy.
  • As in adults, severe cases of COVID-19 are also more likely to result in developing Long COVID. But Long COVID can occur after an acute case of any severity. 
• Children may fully recover before later developing symptoms linked to Long COVID. The symptoms may differ from those of the initial, acute infection.
  • Children (ages 6-11) and adolescents (ages 12-17) seem to have distinct clusters of Long COVID-associated symptoms, which may differ from those seen in adults.
  • There are child-specific diagnoses associated with Long COVID, including Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS), also called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

How to speak to children about COVID-19 and Long COVID

• It’s best to err on the side of caution and believe children when they say or behave as though they feel sick. 
• Most children do not have prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. If your child has been experiencing a symptom for more than a month, reach out to their medical provider.
• Children may not be able to monitor their own symptoms, so parents should document them, along with changes in a child’s behavior, grades in school, and ability to participate in activities that were previously easy.
• Children may struggle to express themselves, so approach conversations with empathy and be prepared to spend time answering their questions.
  • Consider using tools developed specifically to help children describe their pain and manage their symptoms.

Resources

• Educational resources and support — Long COVID Families 
• Document on discussing illness with a child — National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 
• Pain scale to help children (age 3 and older) describe their pain — Wong-Baker FACES Foundation  
• Child-friendly resources to help children manage their energy levels — Long COVID Kids 
• Document for providers navigating follow-up care of infants, children, and adolescents after COVID-19 — American Academy of Pediatrics

Writer: Amanda Heidt • Editor: Betsy Ladyzhets • Medical reviewer: Dr. Melissa Stockwell

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