COVID-19

If your child has COVID-19, it can be a worrying time for you. But most children with COVID-19 will have a mild illness. Starship Children's Emergency Department doctor Emily has some advice about common and less common COVID-19 symptoms, how to care for your child with COVID-19 at home, and when to see a doctor.

COVID-19 is airborne and can spread easily from one person to another. There are some key things you can do to minimise the risk of infecting others, including wearing masks and creating airflow, such as opening windows.

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, you need to report their result and your household must self-isolate. This means you will have to stay home for at least 7 days, and cannot have any visitors. Most children will have mild to moderate symptoms and can be cared for at home.

There are some things whānau can do to prepare for positive cases in their home, as well as having the COVID-19 vaccine. These include preparing a kit with essential items, making a COVID-19 home plan, and preparing to self-isolate if you, your child or someone else in your household test positive.  

Heard talk about genome sequencing and COVID-19 and want to know more? Check out this short animation for tamariki from Māui Studios with support from the University of Otago and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research. It features Koro, a scientist and his granddaughter, Ruia, who is intrigued by science and technology but tired of kōrero about COVID-19.

Children's and teenagers' emotional wellbeing, especially in challenging times, is better when whānau can get the right support. Now all Kiwi families have free access to support that helps improve resilience and emotional wellbeing for our tamariki.

If you're pregnant/hapū, or planning a pregnancy, it is important to have the COVID-19 vaccine. Studies have shown this is safe and better for you and your baby. If you get COVID-19 while you’re pregnant you can become very sick. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. 

Watch a short video in Samoan answering the most common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

If you're breastfeeding and haven't had the COVID-19 vaccine already, you can make a booking now. There are no safety concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you're breastfeeding.

A Mayo Clinic (USA) video which prepares children for a COVID-19 PCR nasal swab test and helps ease some of their possible fear and anxiety. This video is suitable for children as young as 4 years old. Note the video shows a PCR test, not a RAT test. Check the information on rapid antigen tests (RATs) if that's what your child is having.

New Zealand now has community cases of COVID-19. If your child or you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call your GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice.

How to recognise possible symptoms of COVID-19. If you or your child have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting a free test.

If you are pregnant, it's natural you may be feeling increased anxiety and distress while there is COVID-19 in Aotearoa New Zealand. Find out what you can do to help keep you and your baby safe and what to expect from your maternity carer.  

Most children who get COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and get better quickly. But a small number of older children may have symptoms that last longer. This is sometimes called post-COVID-19 condition or long COVID. Find out what is known about long COVID and how to care for a child who is taking longer to get better. 

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a huge over-reaction in the infection-fighting system (immune system). The syndrome usually happens 2 to 6 weeks after a child has had COVID-19. MIS-C can cause severe inflammation in many parts of the body. 

It can be a frightening and confusing time for children when a family member dies. The restrictions due to COVID-19 make it more challenging to meet the needs of children, particularly when a family member dies from COVID-19 infection. Find out how you can create new opportunities to help your child in this process.