COVID Testing and Quarantine FAQ’s

Below are the updated Quarantine Guidelines per the CDC as of August 11, 2022 which can be found here. For more information about Isolation guidelines go here. 

 

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate*)

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
  • If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
  • Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11.
  • You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
  • If your child is too young to wear a mask, then your chid will need to isolate at home for 10 days
  • If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19 or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
  • If you had  severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19

Wear a high quality mask for 10 days and get tested on Day 5

 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

  • Just like adults, children can have asymptomatic COVID infection or severe symptoms.
  • According to the CDC, the following are symptoms of COVID infection in children.
    • Fever
    • Fatigue
    • Headache
    • Myalgia
    • Cough
    • Nasal congestion or rhinorrhea
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Abdominal pain
    • Diarrhea
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Poor appetite or poor feeding
  • Unfortunately all of the symptoms listed above can also apply to other common pediatric illnesses. If there is a high rate of COVID-19 in a community then testing is the only way to determine if your child has COVID-19.
  • Fatigue, Headache, and loss of smell were the most common symptoms reported in a study of 258,790 children published in the Lancet Journal.

 

How do I get my child tested for COVID-19?

  • Visit a COVID-19 Testing Site
  • Schedule a Visit with your doctor
    • During the visit the doctor will identify when the child should be tested and what test the child should receive. 
    • A PCR test results will be available in 1-4 days (Result time depends on the lab used and what day of the week the test is ordered. Check with your doctor for a more accurate estimate at the time of the test) and is the most accurate test available.
    • A Rapid Antigen test result will be available no later than the end of the day of the test. The Rapid Antigen test is appropriate to use in the first 5 days of symptoms, or days 5-7 after exposure to COVID in an asymptomatic person. 

 

What do I do if my child tests positive for COVID?

  • First, don’t panic. While COVID-19 is a scary disease, the vast majority of children who get COVID are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. 
  • Your child needs to Isolate at home per the directions above
  • When in isolation, the CDC recommends you do the following:
    • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
    • Stay in a separate room from other household members, if possible.
    • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
    • Avoid contact with other members of the household and pets.
    • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
    • Wear a mask when around other people if able.
  • Notify your child’s school and any person who was in close contact with your child for 2 days prior to the start of symptoms that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and need to quarantine. 
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