As children get older, their
risk of getting sick enough to be hospitalized is higher
, although newborns and young infants are also at increased risk. Risk of death in children is far lower than in adults, but some children have died of COVID-19.
Can children be infected with COVID-19?
Children and adolescents can be infected with SARS-CoV-2, can get sick with COVID-19, and can spread the virus to others.
What is the risk of my child becoming sick with COVID-19?
Children can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and can get sick with COVID-19. Most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or they may have no symptoms at all (“asymptomatic”). Fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults.
Are children at lower risk of COVID-19 than adults?
While all children are capable of getting the virus that causes COVID-19, they don't become sick as often as adults. Most children have mild symptoms or no symptoms.
Are children less likely to get COVID-19?
In the United States and globally, fewer cases of COVID-19 have been reported in children (age 0-17 years) compared with adults.
Which group of children at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19?
Similar to adults, children with obesity, diabetes, asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression can also be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
How long does it take on average for COVID-19 symptoms to appear?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Can children spread COVID-19 to others if they don't have symptoms?
We know at this point that children can catch coronavirus, and also that
they can spread the disease
, even if they don't have symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control suggest that children as well as adults keep a 6-foot distance from others outside their household, if possible.
Which age groups are at higher risk for COVID-19?
Sample interpretation: Compared with 18- to 29-year-olds, the rate of death is four times higher in 30- to 39-year-olds, and 600 times higher in those who are 85 years and older.
Are healthy young and middle-aged adults at risk of dying from COVID-19?
COVID-19 also has led to serious illness and even death in younger and middle-aged adults who are otherwise healthy. While most children have mild or no symptoms, some have gotten severely ill. As with adults, even if children have no symptoms, they can spread the virus to others.
Does age increase the risk for serious illness from COVID-19?
Your chances of getting seriously sick with COVID-19 go up with your age. Someone who's in their 50s is at higher risk than someone in their 40s, and so on. The highest risk is in people 85 and older.
Do healthy adults under age 65 need to worry about COVID-19?
Yes, they do. Although the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 increases steadily with age, younger people can get sick enough from the disease to require hospitalization. And certain underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
Who is most vulnerable to get severely ill from COVID-19?
Older adults
are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. More than 80% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65, and more than 95% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people older than 45.
