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Children are just as likely as adults to get infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but they aren’t as likely to become seriously ill. It’s common for kids to have mild or no symptoms with COVID-19.
The risk of serious illness is higher for children with an underlying medical condition, such as congenital heart disease, or a neurologic, metabolic or genetic condition. As with adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease or immunosuppression also can be at increased risk for severe illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While rare, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a serious illness that can develop in kids up to a year after the COVID-19 infection. MIS-C causes swelling and irritation in the blood vessels, digestive system, skin or eyes.
Everyone 6 months or older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinating kids helps protect them and those around them, including newborns who can’t get the vaccine, from hospitalization and severe illness.
COVID-19 symptoms in children can range from mild symptoms, such as a fever and cough, to very severe illness and can appear between two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
Kids routinely recover in a week or two after resting at home, getting plenty of fluids and, if advised by the child’s pediatrician, using fever-reducing over-the-counter medicine.
Common symptoms include:
Seek emergency care if your child experiences:
If your child experiences other symptoms that concern you or are severe, contact your health care provider.
Because flu and COVID-19 symptoms are similar, it’s best to get a test to know which virus is causing your child’s illness.
Home tests can be used on younger children older than 2 years, but an adult needs to collect the mucus sample from the child’s nose. Most kids ages 14 and older can collect a sample on their own.
As with adults, a positive at-home COVID-19 test usually is accurate. A negative test, indicating no infection, warrants follow-up with another at-home test 48 hours after the first.
If your child doesn’t have symptoms and tests negative after exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a third at-home test 48 hours after the second.
More precise testing is available from a health care provider.
Norton Healthcare offers pediatric COVID-19 testing locations throughout the Louisville, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana area.
All locations accept most major insurance plans, so check with your insurer about coverage. Bring a photo ID and insurance information, if applicable.
Cost may vary depending on type of COVID-19 test required. Other providers, including community COVID-19 testing sites, may provide COVID-19 testing free of charge to those without insurance.
Rapid COVID-19 and flu tests are available at most locations and provide results within 24 hours. Your results will be sent electronically to your child’s Norton MyChart account.
COVID-19 testing and treatment for all ages is available seven days a week. Reserve your spot online to wait at home or walk in. It will include a visit with a provider.
Find a Location
COVID-19 testing and treatment are available for patients ages 5 years and up. An appointment is required and will include a visit with a provider.
Schedule an Appointment
COVID-19 testing and treatment for children is available for existing patients at Norton Children’s Medical Group pediatrician offices. An appointment is required and will include a visit with a pediatrician.
Norton Children’s Medical Group Locations
Your health care provider, including a Norton eCare provider, needs to order a lab test for flu or COVID-19 prior to your visit to Norton Healthcare Express Services. Children ages 2 and older can take advantage of a Norton eCare visit to get an evaluation from any internet-connected device in Kentucky or Indiana.
Norton Healthcare Express Services 2949 Breckenridge Lane Louisville, KY 40220
If your child has COVID-19, it’s best to isolate at home except for going out to a medical appointment.
While quarantining at home, keep your child away from others as much as possible and avoid sharing household items. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often.
CDC guidelines offer additional information, including how long you can expect your child to be contagious.
Norton Children’s offers COVID-19 vaccination appointments for ages 6 months and older. Refer to CDC guidelines on staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
As of September 2024, updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available that more closely target circulating variants of the virus. Based on CDC guidelines, eligible patients can receive a single dose of an updated COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after their last dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines are covered by commercial insurance, Medicare and Medicaid plans.
Communication about your Norton Children’s vaccine appointment will come through your free Norton MyChart account. If you don’t have a Norton MyChart account, sign up today.
Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s offer the latest COVID-19 vaccines at locations throughout the Louisville, Kentucky, and Southern Indiana area.
Details of your child’s COVID-19 vaccination history — including the dates of each vaccine dose — are available in Norton MyChart.
Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are generally mild and temporary. They typically are a result of the body’s immune system generating the antibodies that will combat infection. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects are rare but can occur. These may include severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), though these are extremely uncommon, and vaccination sites are equipped to handle such emergencies. It’s important to report any unusual or severe symptoms to your health care provider.
Also known as MIS-C, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children is a rare but very serious condition. Symptoms can emerge weeks after infection with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, whether the child had symptoms or not.
Adults can develop the condition as well, but it is even more rare than in children.
MIS-C symptoms include an ongoing fever and at least two of the following:
Contact your child’s pediatrician if your child has these or other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
The following symptoms require emergency medical care:
Bluish lips or face in children with light skin; children with dark skin may have a bluish tint around the eyes, gums, lips or fingernails