Quarantining a Child Exposed to COVID-19 

Tips on Quarantining your Child

Although we are doing everything as a community to combat and defeat COVID-19, it is still very much a reality. Returning to normalcy leaves many parents wondering, “what do I do if my child has been exposed to COVID-19? First and foremost, parents must understand that if a child has been exposed to COVID-19, they may be infected and can spread the infection before receiving a positive COVID test.

When a child has been exposed to COVID-19, this is a list of what parents should do:

Get your child tested. Test your child for COVID as soon as you become aware of the possible exposure. If you are not made aware of exposure risk and your child begins to show symptoms of being infected, have them tested regardless. At a minimum, parents should have their children tested for COVID-19 on or after five days of the possible exposure date.

Keep your child at home

• If your child could have possibly or definitely been exposed to COVID-19; they must be kept at home and away from others. The only reason for your child to leave their home is to get tested for COVID-19 or to receive necessary medical care if needed.
• If your child must leave their home to get a COVID-19 test, avoid public transportation such as; taxis, Uber, Lyft, trains, busses, etc.
• Try your best to keep the exposed child away from other members of the household. (This includes siblings or other family members as well.)
• Avoid allowing visitors until your child is confirmed to be COVID negative.
• Stay in communication with your child’s school and follow their quarantine procedures diligently.

Please keep your child home until the end of their quarantine.

• Your child should not return to school or regular activities until they finish their quarantine period, even if they receive a negative test before then. Since a negative test can occur in the early stages of infection and symptoms can take a while to appear, it’s best to stay safe and wait out the remainder of the quarantine period.

Answer Health Department Calls 

• If you are receiving calls from the health department because your child was either exposed to COVID-19 or has tested positive, allow them to explain what you should do next.
• It is IMPORTANT to note that the health department will NEVER ask you for:
  • Your social security number
  • Your immigration status
  • Funds
  • Bank account information

 Watch for symptoms 

• If your child begins experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, get them tested ASAP! Some of the more common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of taste
  • Loss of smell
  • Trouble breathing
  • Runny nose
  • Congestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Body aches

Many children who have tested positive for COVID-19 have a mild illness and typically get better while at home, without having to visit their doctor. Once you have established that your child may be sick, assure that your child is well-rested and drinks plenty of fluids if they begin to experience symptoms or have tested positive. For children at least six months old, over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol®, Motrin®, or Advil®, can help with pain relief.

If your child’s condition worsens, especially if they have trouble breathing, please seek immediate medical care and contact their pediatrician. At the office of Dr. Alfonso J. Henriquez, we are here to help your children stay happy and healthy! If you believe your child has had exposure to COVID-19 or if they have already tested positive, you may call our office at 561-275-7100 so that we can guide you on the following steps you should take.