from LONG COVID ESSENTIALS
a resources series by The Sick Times x Long COVID Justice
COVID-19 and Long COVID in children
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
Additional resources & info
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Notes
- This series was published in fall 2024; some information may be subject to change.
- Although each topic has been reviewed by medical professionals, they are informational resources, not medical advice. Always talk to your medical providers before trying treatments or symptom management strategies.
- Each resource page offers brief information and is not comprehensive. We know there is much more information on each topic we cover, and that there are additional topics not yet addressed in this series.