COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It can affect your lungs, airways and other organs.
Coronaviruses are from a large family of viruses that cause illnesses like the common cold.
SARS-CoV-2 was first recognised in China. It's still unclear how the virus came to infect humans. The disease spread to other countries, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a pandemic on 11 March 2020.
There have been genetic mutations (changes) to the virus over time. Some of these mutations, such as the Omicron variant, can spread more easily than the original virus.
COVID-19 is an airborne illness that spreads from person to person. When an infected person breathes, speaks, coughs, sneezes or sings, they may spread particles containing the virus. These particles range in size. Some particles can remain on surfaces or airborne for minutes to hours.
The risk of catching COVID-19 is higher:
Find out more about why wearing masks and ventilation helps [1]
Find out how to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 [2]
If tamariki (children) catch COVID-19, they often only have mild symptoms. Some tamariki may have no symptoms.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to cold and flu symptoms.
They can include:
Symptoms of COVID-19 may also include:
These symptoms can happen with other illnesses and do not necessarily mean you or your child have COVID-19.
See COVID-19 symptoms charts in 7 languages [3]
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia - your child needs to see a doctor immediately.
Check KidsHealth's information about pneumonia [4].
Check the signs that show your child is struggling to breathe [5].
People who get COVID-19 symptoms are likely to get them within 3 days of first being infected. But it could take up to 8 days after infection. People may have COVID-19 without any symptoms.
Some people with COVID-19 can pass it on to others 1 or 2 days before showing symptoms.
For COVID-19 health advice in New Zealand, call 0800 358 5453. Make sure to only call for health-related information on COVID-19.
For COVID-19 health advice, call 0800 358 5453.
It is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
People calling the free line will be able to talk with a member of the National Telehealth Service and interpreters will be available.
Healthline's main number (0800 611 116) is still the one to call for non-COVID-19 health concerns.
If your baby or child has any cold or flu-like symptoms, keep them home from daycare or school until they have no more symptoms. Phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 (for general health advice) or 0800 358 5453 (for COVID-19 advice), or your GP practice, as soon as possible. Make sure to phone your GP practice before visiting the clinic.
See KidsHealth's section on COVID-19 [7]
See all KidsHealth's content on COVID-19 immunisation in children [8]
This page last reviewed 07 December 2023.
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Links
[1] https://kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-why-wearing-masks-creating-airflow-helps
[2] https://kidshealth.org.nz/how-protect-yourself-others-against-coronavirus-covid-19
[3] https://kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-symptoms-chart-7-languages
[4] https://kidshealth.org.nz/pneumonia
[5] https://kidshealth.org.nz/signs-children-are-struggling-breathe
[6] https://kidshealth.org.nz/covid-19-caring-child-covid-19
[7] https://kidshealth.org.nz/tags/covid-19
[8] https://kidshealth.org.nz/tags/covid-19-immunisation-children
[9] https://covid19.govt.nz/
[10] https://kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F2467%3Flanguage%3Dzh-hant