How Should Children Wear A Mask During COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 appear about 2 to 14 days after exposure and include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever or chills

Seek immediate medical attention (call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital’s emergency department) if you have warning signs of severe illness: 

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• New confusion 
• Inability to wake or stay awake

Less common symptoms of COVID-19 may include: 

• Changes in sense of taste and/or smell
• Headache
• Body aches
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Congestion
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

COVID-19 is transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets propelled into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. Less commonly, COVID-19 may be transmitted when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.

Though there have been isolated cases of animals testing positive for COVID-19, there is no evidence COVID-19 spreads from pets to people. 

It is believed COVID-19 originated from a live animal market in Wuhan, China.

COVID-19 is diagnosed with a physical examination to check if patients have any of the characteristic symptoms of COVID-19, and a patient history that may include any known recent exposure to the virus. 

If COVID-19 is suspected, viral tests are used to confirm a diagnosis. Some viral tests are rapid and results are available within a few hours but are less reliable. Other tests may take several days to receive results but the results are more reliable. 

• PCR test (genetic or molecular test)
  • Results can take from hours to up to one week
  • Has a lower chance of false-negative results (a false negative means the test does not detect COVID even though the patient has it) and is more accurate
• Antigen test
  • Results are available in less than one hour
  • Has a higher rate of false-negatives

An antibody test may be used to establish if a person had a past COVID-19 infection, but it is not used to diagnose current infections because it takes up to three weeks following infection for the body to produce antibodies to the virus. 

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19.

The goal of treatment in mild cases of COVID-19 is supportive care aimed at relieving symptoms. Patients with mild illness are usually advised to remain home and self-isolate for 14 days to avoid spreading the virus. Home treatment for mild symptoms may include:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Cough suppressants
• Adequate fluid intake
• Rest

Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic proteins that imitate the immune system’s ability to fight off foreign invaders such as viruses. A monoclonal antibody medication called bamlanivimab is specifically directed against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, and is designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells.

Bamlanivimab has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Bamlanivimab is not indicated for use in severe cases.

For more severe illness, patients may require hospitalization. Treatments may include:

• Antiviral therapy with remdesivir 
• Corticosteroids 
  • Dexamethasone is preferred
  • Prednisone, methylprednisolone, or hydrocortisone may be used if dexamethasone is not available 
• Immunotherapy 
  • Convalescent plasma
  • Immunoglobulin products
  • Interleukin inhibitors
  • Interferons
  • Kinase inhibitors
• Antithrombotic therapy: anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy 
• High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen 
• Ventilation