As children return to school after the midterm break, parents have been advised not to send their children to school if they show any symptoms of Covid.
As Covid case numbers continue to rise, it is essential for parents to be aware of the symptoms so they can decide whether it is safe to send their child to school.
The HSE has issued the following advice to help parents understand the measures to take should their child become unwell.
The most common symptoms of Covid-19 are:
- fever (high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more)
- dry cough
- fatigue (tiredness)
School children outside St. Mary's Boys National School, Lucan pictured this morning as they return to school this morning for the first time in almost three months, in the wake of Covid-19 restrictions. (Collins Agency, Dublin)
Less common symptoms include:
- loss or changed sense of taste or smell
- blocked nose
- conjunctivitis (red or pink eye)
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle or joint pain (aches and pains)
- skin rash
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- chills or dizziness
Not every child will have all of these symptoms, and symptoms may vary for different age groups or variants of the virus.
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show after the virus is contracted.
Even if your child's symptoms are very mild, keep them at home for 48 hours and phone your GP for advice.
Symptoms of Covid-19 can be similar to symptoms of cold, flu or hay fever, so if you are in doubt about any symptoms, your child has, phone your GP.
When to keep your child at home
Keep your child at home if they:
- have a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
- have any common symptoms of Covid-19 - a new cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, shortness of breath or an existing breathing condition that has recently become worse
- are told by the HSE that they are a close contact of Covid-19
- live with someone who is unwell and may have Covid-19
- have other less common symptoms of Covid-19, such as sore throat, headaches or vomiting
- have diarrhoea
- returned from another country in the last 14 days with an adult that needs to self-isolate
If your child is fully vaccinated and does not have symptoms, you do not need to keep them at home.
If your child becomes unwell quickly, the cause is unlikely to be Covid-19. Their symptoms may be caused by another illness.
Runny nose or sneezing
If a runny nose or is sneezing are the only symptoms your child has, it's OK to send them to school or childcare.
But if your child has a runny nose and feels unwell or is off form, they should stay at home.
When to get urgent medical help
Symptoms of severe Covid‐19 may include:
- shortness of breath
- loss of appetite
- confusion
- pain or pressure in the chest
- high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
But if your child becomes unwell quickly, the cause is unlikely to be Covid-19. Their symptoms may be caused by another illness.
