COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to a range of other illnesses such as the flu. Common symptoms of the virus include:

• fever
• cough
• sneezing and runny nose
• sore throat
• tiredness
• difficulty breathing.

Some tamariki may also experience:

• tummy pain or nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
• loss of taste or smell

Most tamariki with mild COVID-19 will feel better within one week. Some may take two weeks to fully recover. If your child has difficulty breathing, fever for more than five days, worsening symptoms, or you are worried – contact PlunketLine or see a healthcare provider immediately.

Because COVID-19 is caused by a virus, there is no specific treatment and antibiotics will not help. Most tamariki can be cared for at home while they recover from COVID-19. Some tips to keep your child comfortable:

• encourage them to drink lots of fluids – it is important that they continue to drink to stay hydrated even if they aren’t very hungry
• encourage rest but there is no need to restrict activity - if your child wants to play that is OK
• if they have a fever, dress in a single layer and make sure the room isn’t too hot or cold.

COVID-19 spreads easily and it is common to spread within the household. To minimise the spread of COVID-19, regularly wash and dryor sanitise hands. 

Call PlunketLine or see your healthcare provider if your child with COVID-19:

• has difficulty breathing, noisy breathing or is breathing fast
• is not responding to you as normal
• refuses to drink or is drinking less than normal
• has fewer wet nappies or is passing less wee than normal
• is very tired or lethargic
• still has a fever after 5 days
• has severe pain
• you are worried about them.

If your child becomes very unwell call 111.

If you’d rather watch a video, check out the recording below from Starship Children's Emergency Department doctor Emily who has some advice about:

• common and less common COVID-19 symptoms
• how to care for your child with COVID-19 at home
• when to see a doctor.

Breastfeeding provides an added level of protection from COVID-19 and other illnesses for your baby. Most often, babies who are breastfed remain healthy even when their parents or other family members are unwell with an infectious illness.

There is no clinical evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted through breast milk.

Considering the many benefits of breastfeeding, you can continue to breastfeed if you have COVID-19. To reduce the risk of spreading the virus while breastfeeding, it is recommended you:

• wear a surgical face mask
• wash your hands thoroughly before feeding
• avoid kissing and touching your baby’s face.

If you are too unwell to breastfeed, you can express your milk and give it to your pēpi in a bottle. It is still advisable to follow the precautions above.

The COVID-19 vaccine is available for free to all individuals aged 5 years and over.

In children under 5 years of age - only severely immunocompromised tamariki, or tamariki with complex medical conditions can be immunised against COVID-19.

Speak to your usual healthcare provider, or read more about getting COVID-19 vaccines.