With symptoms, quarantine can end when all these criteria are met:
1. 5 days have passed since symptoms began or testing positive (if no symptoms present)
2. It has been 24 hours without fever
3. Symptoms have improved
Continue wearing a mask around others for 5 more days. If unable to reliably wear a mask due to age, quarantine an additional 5 days. This will be the case for almost all kids between 2 and 5 years.
With no symptoms or mild symptoms, end quarantine no sooner that 5 days from beginning of symptoms or positive test (if no symptoms present). Continue wearing a mask for 5 more days. If unable to reliably wear a mask due to age, quarantine an additional 5 days. This will be the case for almost all kids between 2 and 5 years.
Most fevers are good for children and a sign that the body is fighting infection. The goal of therapy is to bring the fever down to a comfortable level. True fever begins at 100.4 (using rectal, ear or forehead thermometer); many fevers associated with a virus fluctuate between 100.4-104 degrees for 2-3 days. Fevers only need to be treated with medicine if they cause discomfort, which usually means fevers of 102 degrees and higher. Ear temperatures are not accurate before 6 months of age.
Treatment for fevers:
Medication for fevers:
If your child is over age 2, have them blow their nose frequently. For younger children, gently suction their nose with a suction bulb whenever nasal passages are blocked, and they can’t breathe through their nose. Congestion can drain down the back of the throat and into the stomach causing decreased appetite, looser stools, and even vomiting. It can also go into the lungs and cause coughing. Maintaining good hydration is especially important to help thin mucous so it can be expelled more easily. Try to clear passages prior to feeds, naps and bedtime so child can eat and sleep more comfortably. Congestion and runny nose can last 2-3 weeks or more.
Treatment for congestion
Medications for congestion
Coughing up mucus is very important for protecting the lungs from pneumonia. We want to encourage a productive cough, not turn it off. For vomiting that occurs with hard coughing, reduce the amount given per feeding. Coughs can last 2-3 weeks or more, and often as a virus begins to resolve, a cough becomes more productive or “phlegmy.” This is not concerning as long as it is not causing trouble breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or preventing sleep at night.
Treatment for coughs
Medication for coughs:
o Age 1 Year and Older: Use honey 1/2 to 1 tsp (2 to 5 ml) as needed as a homemade cough medicine. It can thin the secretions and loosen the cough. (If not available, can use corn syrup.) OTC cough syrups containing honey are also available. They are not more effective than plain honey and cost much more per dose.
o Age 3 Months to 1 year: Give warm clear fluids (e.g., apple juice or lemonade) to thin themucus and relax the airway. Dosage: 1-3 teaspoons (5-15 ml) four times per day
First, try not to worry. With the Omicron variant, we are seeing COVID spread much more readily. Each family will handle this scenario differently. Any of these plans are reasonable; do what feels best for your family. You can:
No. This is not helpful. A PCR test can remain positive for 60-90 days, again, after no longer contagious. We determine when it is safe to leave quarantine based on the CDC guidelines for when symptoms started or when the test appeared positive (for cases with no symptoms). See top of handout under “Quarantine” section.
With symptoms, quarantine can end when all these criteria are met:
1. 5 days have passed since symptoms began or testing positive (if no symptoms present)
2. It has been 24 hours without fever
3. Symptoms have improved
Continue wearing a mask around others for 5 more days. If unable to reliably wear a mask due to age, quarantine an additional 5 days. This will be the case for almost all kids between 2 and 5 years.
With no symptoms or mild symptoms, end quarantine no sooner that 5 days from beginning of symptoms or positive test (if no symptoms present).
With both scenarios: Continue wearing a mask around others for 5 more days. If unable to reliably wear a mask due to age, quarantine an additional 5 days.
The CDC website has additional information on COVID-19 serial testing after day 5. Follow the
Isolation and Exposure Calculator for specific instructions.
COVID-19 is caused by a virus and antibiotics don’t treat viral illness. Most covid cases can be treated at home
using the following interventions for presenting symptoms:
Most fevers are good for children and a sign that the body is fighting infection. The goal of therapy is to bring
the fever down to a comfortable level. True fever begins at 100.4. Many fevers associated with a virus
fluctuate between 100.4-104 degrees for 2-3 days. Fevers only need to be treated with medicine if they cause
discomfort, which usually means fevers of 102 degrees and higher.
Treatment for fevers:
Encourage your child to blow their nose frequently. Congestion can drain down the back of the throat and into the stomach causing decreased appetite, looser stools, coughing, and even occasional vomiting. Maintaining good hydration is especially important to help thin mucous so it can be expelled more easily. Congestion and runny nose can last 2-3 weeks or more. Nasal discharge caused by a virus starts clear, then turns yellow, then turns greenish, then resolves
Treatment for congestion
Coughing up mucus is very important for protecting the lungs from pneumonia. We want to encourage a productive cough, not turn it off. Coughs can last 2-3 weeks or more, and often as a virus begins to resolve, a cough becomes more productive or “phlegmy.” This is not concerning as long as it is not increasingly worsening, causing trouble breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or preventing sleep at night.
Treatment for coughs
This is really difficult! COVID is contagious 1-2 days before symptoms begin (and for an additional 10 days) so it makes preventing the spread through the household very hard. When the person with COVID-19 has the ability to quarantine from others in the household, this can be helpful. What this looks like practically can differ from family to family. Ideally the COVID positive individuals should have their own bathroom and sleeping area and be able to eat separately from others (in the same room is fine, just not at the same table). If able, all family members wearing N-95 masks at home when in common spaces, is helpful. Again, sometimes this just isn’t feasible. Other tips we are all know but need to remember, include avoiding sharing utensils, disinfecting surfaces that are often touched, and washing hands often
First, try not to worry. With the Omicron variant, we are seeing COVID spread much more readily. Each
family will handle this scenario differently. Any of these plans are reasonable; do what feels best for your
family. Watch for more concerning symptoms listed above in the “Reasons to Call our Office” section.
No. This is not helpful. A PCR test can remain positive for 60-90 days, again, after no longer contagious. We determine when it is safe to leave quarantine based on the CDC guidelines for when symptoms started or when the test appeared positive (for cases with no symptoms). See top of handout under “Quarantine” section.
Return to sports after COVID-19 illness
A very rare complication of the COVID-19 virus is myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle). Though this only occurs in a very small percentage of the pediatric population after a COVID-19 illness, it is still important not to miss. it is important to discuss returning to physical activity, and in some instances do a physical exam, before returning to sports participation after COVID-19 illness.
We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics return to play guidelines. Children fall into 2 main categories and recommendations for follow-up are below. The primary reason for follow-up before beginning exercise is to ensure there are no cardiac symptoms. Symptoms to watch for include chest pain, shortness of breath more so than with a typical cold, new-onset heart palpitations (feeling like the heart is “beating funny”) or passing out (or feeling like he/she is about to pass out). If any symptoms occur, stop exercise immediately and call our office.
Once cleared, follow a gradual return-to-play exercise progression
Day 1 and Day 2 – (2 Days Minimum) – 15 minutes or less: : Light activity (walking, jogging, stationary bike), intensity no greater than 70% of maximum heart rate. NO resistance training.
Day 3 – (1 Day Minimum) – 30 minutes or less:Add simple movement activities (eg. running drills) – intensity no greater than 80% of maximum heart rate.
Day 4 – (1 Day Minimum) – 45 minutes or less- Progress to more complex training – intensity no greater than 80% maximum heart rate. May add light resistance training.
Day 5 and Day 6 – (2 Days Minimum) – 60 minutes – Normal training activity – intensity no greater than 80% maximum heart rate.
Day 7 – Return to full activity/participation
If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection. Learn how COVID-19 spreads and the factors that make risk of spread higher or lower.
Immediately
10 Full Days
Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public 1
Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
If you develop symptoms
If your test result is positive, follow the isolation recommendations.
Day 6
Test even if you don’t develop symptoms.
If you already had COVID-19 within the past 90 days, see specific testing recommendations.
Negative
Continue taking precautions through day 10
You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed.
Positive
*About negative test results
As noted in the Food and Drug Administration labeling for authorized over-the-counter antigen tests, negative test results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions, including infection control decisions.
1Masks are not recommended for children under ages 2 years and younger, or for people with some disabilities. Other prevention actions (such as improving ventilation) should be used to avoid transmission during these 10 days.
Search for and find historical COVID-19 pages and files. Please note the content on these pages and files is no longer being updated and may be out of date.
Everyone aged 5 years and older ‡ should get 1 dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19. None of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines is preferred over another.
Children aged 5 years – 11 years who are unvaccinated or have previously gotten a COVID-19 vaccine before September 12, 2023, should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
People aged 12 years and older who are unvaccinated should get either:
8 weeks after 1st dose
‡12 years and older: People aged 12 years and older who have not previously gotten any COVID-19 vaccine doses and choose to get Novavax should get 2 doses of updated Novavax vaccine to be up to date.
Children aged 6 months–4 years should get two or three doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine depending on which vaccine they receive.
3–8 weeks after 1st dose
At least 8 weeks after 2nd dose
4–8 weeks after 1st dose
3–8 weeks after 1st dose
At least 8 weeks after 2nd dose
At least 8 weeks after the last dose
4–8 weeks after the last dose
At least 8 weeks after the last dose
COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. As with other vaccine-preventable diseases, you are best protected from COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccinations.
COVID-19 vaccines recommended for use in the United States:
As of October 3, 2023, the 2023-2024 updated Novavax vaccine was recommended by CDC for use in the United States.
As of September 12, 2023, the 2023–2024 updated Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were recommended by CDC for use in the United States.
The 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines more closely targets the XBB lineage of the Omicron variant and could restore protection against severe COVID-19 that may have decreased over time. We anticipate the updated vaccines will be better at fighting currently circulating variants.
There is no preferential recommendation for the use of any one COVID-19 vaccine over another when more than one licensed or authorized, recommended, and age-appropriate vaccine is available.
As of September 11, 2023, the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are no longer available for use in the United States.
The 2022–2023 bivalent vaccines were designed to protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5. Two COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, had developed bivalent COVID-19 vaccines.
As of April 18, 2023, the original Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are no longer available for use in the United States.
As of May 6, 2023, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available for use in the United States.
Previous COVID-19 vaccines were called “original” because they were designed to protect against the original virus that causes COVID-19.
If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine by 3 months.
Reinfection is less likely in the weeks to months after infection. However, certain factors could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later, such as:
Last Updated Oct. 4, 2023
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