COVID-19

To give others easy access to all KidsHealth's COVID-19 content, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan the QR code with their phone and go straight to the KidsHealth COVID-19 section. 

Guidance for children and teens returning to normal activity and sport after having COVID. 

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. 

If you are COVID-19 positive and caring for a newborn pēpi, there are some things you can do to protect them. Find out what you can do to keep them safe, what you can expect from your maternity carer and what to do if you become quite unwell. 

Use a RAT test if your child has COVID-19 symptoms, or any cold or flu symptoms. Free rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely available.

COVID-19 is airborne and can spread easily from one person to another. Wearing masks and ventilating spaces are key ways to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. 

Most children with COVID-19 will have a mild illness. Find out about how to care for your child at home and when to see a doctor.

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.

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.

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.

If your child or you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, stay at home. Call your GP clinic or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It can affect your lungs, airways and other organs. Learn more about COVID-19 and how to manage it.