COVID-19 in babies and children

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a coronavirus infection. It is very contagious (spreads easily between people). The illness can be mild, moderate or severe.

Children and babies can have COVID-19 without any symptoms. Most children have mild symptoms, like having a cold.

Between 2020 and 2023 COVID-19 was managed as a pandemic in Australia. It’s now treated in a similar way to other diseases that spread between people.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children are:

• fever (Opens in new tab)
• runny nose
• cough
• sore throat
• gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach ache

Other signs of COVID-19 are:

• headache
• fatigue (tiredness)
• irritability
• loss of taste or smell
• loss of appetite or poor feeding
• difficulty breathing

Children are less likely to get severe illness with COVID-19 than adults. Some children who get COVID-19 have no symptoms at all.

COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2.

How is COVID-19 spread?

The COVID-19 virus is spread through contact with infected people. This happens when:

• the virus gets into the air when people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, talk and breathe. You can then breathe in the virus.
• you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces contaminated with the virus.

The virus spreads more easily in poorly ventilated and crowded indoor spaces.

People generally get COVID-19 symptoms about 3 days after exposure to the virus.

If your child has COVID-19, they could get worse over the first few days. It’s a good idea to watch them closely.

Make sure their breathing, eating and drinking are normal. Check they have a normal amount of urine (wee). If your child has vomiting or diarrhoea, keep them well hydrated. Learn how to identify dehydration (loss of fluids).

Trust your instincts and contact your doctor if your child's symptoms get worse or if you are concerned.

You should also see your doctor if your baby or child gets COVID-19 and they:

• are younger than 3 months old
• were premature (born early)
• have a chronic (ongoing) illness
• have problems with their immune system
• have a physical or intellectual disability

Children with underlying illnesses can be more likely to get seriously ill with COVID-19.

When to get urgent care

Seek medical care straight away, or go to the emergency department, if your baby or child has severe symptoms such as:

• trouble breathing
• chest pain 
• a fast pulse
• feeling dizzy
• feeling very weak or is difficult to wake

Babies and children with severe symptoms can be cared for in hospital.

COVID-19 can be diagnosed by testing a sample of saliva or mucus from your child’s mouth or nose. You can buy a rapid antigen test (RAT). Alternatively, your doctor may organise a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This test uses the same kind of sample, but the sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.

There is no specific treatment for mild COVID-19 infections.

Self-care at home

If your child has mild symptoms, they can be cared for at home.

You can treat COVID-19 at home in the same way you would treat a bad cold or the flu:

• Encourage your child to rest or offer extra naps.
• Make sure they drink lots of fluids. For a baby this may mean extra feeds.
• You can give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or fever (ibuprofen should not be used for children under 3 months of age).
• Use a saline nose spray if their nose is blocked.

Antivirals

If your child tests positive to COVID-19 and is at very high risk of severe illness your specialist or hospital doctor may recommend antiviral treatment.

Does my child need to isolate at home?

There is no longer a legal requirement to stay home if you have COVID-19. However, it’s best to stay home to avoid spreading the illness to others.

If your child has COVID-19, keep them home from childcare or school until they are better. 

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, they should not visit high-risk places like hospitals and aged care homes.

Ways to help prevent people, including children and babies, from catching COVID include:

• regular handwashing
• physical distancing, especially from people who are sick
• good ventilation to improve indoor air quality
• wearing a face mask (Opens in new tab)

Teach your child to:

• Wash their hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Cough or sneeze into their elbow and away from other people.
• Throw tissues away after use and wash hands afterwards.

You can improve ventilation by:

• opening the windows 
• using a fan
• running the air conditioner or an air purifier that has a HEPA filter

Children aged under 5 are often exempt from needing a face mask. If you decide to use one, choose a mask that covers their nose, mouth and chin. Always supervise young children when they're wearing a mask.

Vaccination for COVID-19?

It's recommended that children aged between 6 months and 17 years who have medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 disease are vaccinated. Talk with your doctor to find out if vaccination is suitable for your child.

Read frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination (Opens in new tab).

Some children may get complications after COVID-19 infection:

• Long COVID — when symptoms continue for more than 12 weeks and impact everyday life. This may also be referred to as post-viral syndrome.
• Loss of taste and smell — if this goes on for a long time it can affect your child’s appetite or mood.
• Paediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome — a rare but serious illness that involves swelling in many parts of their body. It develops 2 to 6 weeks after COVID-19.

You can speak with your doctor or child health nurse. They will be able to give you advice about COVID-19 for your child.

Visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to learn more about COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations (Opens in new tab).

Find more support for parents.

Languages other than English.

Children’s Health Queensland (Opens in new tab) has resources in multiple languages. These include a storybook about COVID-19 (Opens in new tab) that you can read with your child. 

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.