How Does COVID-19 Affect Children?

October 28, 2025

2 min read

The symptoms of COVID-19 in children can be easy to miss since many children don't show any symptoms. How seriously can COVID-19 affect children?

Key takeaways

The symptoms of COVID-19 in children can be easy to miss since many children don't show any symptoms.
Are Symptoms in Children The Same As in Adults?
Do Symptoms Vary for Different Age Groups?

Who this is for

People exploring Coronavirus through coronavirus, children.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Angelique

Pediatrician

Are Symptoms in Children The Same As in Adults?

Typically, most cases of COVID-19 in children are mild. Children may have the same symptoms as adults, including elevated body temperature, dry cough, throat irritation, runny nose, and increased fatigue. They can also have other less noticeable symptoms including:

Upset gastrointestinal tract
Shortness of breath
Loss of taste and smell
Conjunctivitis
Joint and muscle pain
Discolored fingers and toes
Lack of appetite
Skin rashes
Chills

COVID-19 in children has three forms: acute respiratory infection, mild pneumonia, and heavy pneumonia with acute distress syndrome. The latter happens quite rarely.

Do Symptoms Vary for Different Age Groups?

COVID-19 is largely unpredictable. Statistics show that symptoms of the disease are directly related to the age of the child.

Infants: the virus poses a threat since toddlers have a very weak immune system and narrow respiratory airways.

1–3 years of age: children experience mild symptoms including a possible loss of appetite for 2-3 days.

3–7 years of age: the disease lasts for approximately a week, then the patient recovers without complications. In most cases, the patient will not have a cough but may have mild nasal congestion and a hoarse voice.

7–17 years of age: symptoms may include fever, slight malaise, dry cough, and headache.

Statistics show that the younger the child is (except newborn babies), the milder the symptoms are. Scientists assume that this happens because children's immune systems are immature and can react to foreign pathogens more quickly. Additionally, the immunity in children is initially set out to fight off new infections.

In any case, self-medicating children is not an option. If they show symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or severe cough, it is necessary to ask for medical assistance without delay.

Should You Vaccinate Children?

At the moment, children have not been given priority for vaccinations because those who get COVID-19 only demonstrate mild symptoms. The only reason to vaccinate children is to create herd immunity and develop antibodies since children are the most active transmitters of the virus, which is why vaccine manufacturers will begin tests on children in the near future.

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