Omicron Symptoms In Kids & How To Treat Them

Covid Pixelimage/E+/Getty Images The good news is: their symptoms are super mild. (You may not even notice.) by Ashley Jones Jan. 7, 2022

StockPlanets/E+/Getty Images Parents have been on the lookout for covid symptoms in their kids for nearly two full years. With every new variant comes a new wave of worry. The symptoms of omicron in kids can mimic a typical cold, but should still be taken seriously and treated accordingly.

The only way to know for sure if your kid has covid is to take a test , but the CDC’s list of potential symptoms of omicron is very familiar. It includes fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, fatigue, and sore throat. Images By Tang Ming Tung/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Dobrila Vignjevic/E+/Getty Images Most kids experience mild symptoms with omicron ; you might even mistake it for a cold or allergies. The vast majority of kids will be just fine, but the CDC reports that kids — especially if unvaccinated — are still at some risk for complications and hospitalization, so it’s important to keep a close eye on symptoms.

Radomir Jovanovic/E+/Getty Images Kids with omicron can run a fever . Use cool compresses to help keep your child comfortable , offer plenty of liquids to keep them hydrated, and give fever reducing medications as indicated by their doctor.

Among the laundry-list of potential symptoms, one of the most bothersome for children is often a sore or scratchy throat . Offer plenty of warm (not hot) liquids and popsicles to soothe this omicron symptom in kids. Milos Dimic/E+/Getty Images

To treat any congestion , cough , or sniffles, try using a humidifier or sitting in a steamy bathroom with kids. Little ones can also benefit from nasal suctioning and saline drops when congested. eyecrave/E+/Getty Images

Olesia Feketa / EyeEm/EyeEm/Getty Images Unfortunately, omicron can make kids feel nauseous or lose their sense of taste and smell . It can be hard to cope with, but you should still encourage them to eat and drink their favorite foods to keep up their strength.

Jozef Polc / 500px/500Px Plus/Getty Images Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of covid , and the omicron variant is no exception. Encourage your kids to rest as much as possible (and snuggle if they need it, of course) to help them get through the illness.

If your child’s omicron symptoms are particularly bothersome, check with their pediatrician to see if they recommend over-the-counter medications or other treatments to combat specific symptoms like fever, cough, congestion, or nausea. simon2579/E+/Getty Images

And remember, omicron may be more contagious, but our tools for preventing its spread still work: Get vaccinated, wear a mask, and keep your distance indoors. “The same methodology still applies," Vivek Cherian, M.D. , a Chicago-based internal medicine physician at Amita Health, told Romper. bojanstory/E+/Getty Images

If your child does have symptoms similar to omicron, you can keep your entire family safe by making sure everyone eligible for the vaccine is vaxxed and masking up. But be sure to comfort your child — isolating them from the family can do more harm than good.

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