05/21/2021
COVID-19: Frequently asked questions
https://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-frequently-asked-questions
<< Back to UNICEF COVID-19 portal, The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of children and their families around the world. UNICEF is working with health experts to promote facts over fear, bringing trustworthy guidance and answering some of the questions that families might have. , What is COVID-19?, COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease., What are the symptoms of COVID-19?, Many COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of the flu, the common cold and other conditions, so a test is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from very mild to severe illness. Some people who have been infected don’t have any symptoms. The most common symptoms are…, How does the COVID-19 virus spread?, The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small droplets when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles can range in size from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols, and people can be contagious whether or not they are displaying symptoms. So far, the evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly…, Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?, Yes, even though COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as rapidly as possible, they must go through rigorous testing in clinical trials to prove that they meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and effectiveness. Only if they meet these standards can a vaccine receive validation from WHO and national regulatory agencies., >> Read more about the COVID-19 vaccines ., How do COVID-19 vaccines work?, >> Read: How to talk to your children about COVID-19 vaccines, >> Read: Advice for before, during and after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, >> Read: How to talk to your friends and family about COVID-19 vaccines, Will my child be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine? , Children were not included in the initial trials for COVID-19 vaccines as their immune systems are different from those of adults and can vary significantly depending on their age. Clinical tests are ongoing to assess whether the COVID-19 vaccines will also be safe and effective for them. Continue to follow national and local guidance on helping…, >> Read: What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines, I’ve heard there are variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. What does this mean?, It’s normal for viruses to mutate over time. Experts are constantly monitoring new variants of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to see if they spread more easily, cause more severe disease, or could have an impact on the effectiveness of vaccines. Some new strains of the virus appear to be more contagious, but the evidence so far does not…, Are any of these new COVID-19 variants more dangerous for children? , Experts are continuing to monitor these variants around the world to better understand their impact, including on children. Research is ongoing to understand if and to what extent new variants may cause more severe illness in those infected. So far, the evidence doesn’t suggest that these variants are specifically targeting children, and severe…, Do the COVID-19 vaccines work against the new variants?, WHO says that the vaccines approved to date are expected to provide at least some protection against new variants. Experts around the world are continuously studying how the new variants affect the behaviour of the virus, including any potential impact on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Should any of the vaccines be shown to be less…, I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to get tested for COVID-19?, If you have been fully vaccinated but are showing symptoms of COVID-19, you should contact your doctor about whether you should get tested., What is ‘Long COVID’? Can children be affected? , Post COVID-19 condition, also sometimes referred to as ‘Long COVID,’ is a term used to describe symptoms persisting for weeks or months in some people after the initial recovery from COVID-19 infection. More research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19, but young adults and children without underlying chronic medical…, How can I protect myself and others from COVID-19?, Recent surges of COVID-19 in some countries are a reminder of the importance of continuing to take precautions. Here are some things you and your family can take to help avoid infection: Avoid crowded places, confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, and try to practice physical distancing from people in public, keeping at least 1 metre…, Should I wear a medical mask to protect against COVID-19?, The use of a medical mask is advised if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) to protect others, or if you are caring for someone who may have COVID-19. If masks are worn, they must be used and disposed of properly to ensure their effectiveness and to avoid any increased risk of transmitting the virus. Disposable face masks should…, >> Read: COVID-19 and masks - Tips for families, Does COVID-19 affect children?, We are still learning how it affects children. We know it is possible for people of any age to be infected and transmit the virus, although older people and/or those with pre-existing medical conditions seem more likely to develop serious illness. There are reports of a rare but serious multisystem inflammatory syndrome affecting children and…, What should I do if my child has symptoms of COVID-19?, Seek care early if your child is having symptoms and try to avoid going to public places (workplace, schools, public transport) to prevent it spreading to others., What precautions should I take for my family if we travel?, Anyone planning a trip should always follow local and national guidance on whether it is advisable to travel. Those traveling should check the advisory for their destination for any restrictions on entry, quarantine requirements on entry, or other relevant travel advice. Follow the same personal protection measures during travel as you would at…, >> Read more tips for travelling with your family during COVID-19, Can pregnant women pass COVID-19 to unborn children? , At this time, there is not enough evidence to determine whether the COVID-19 virus is transmitted from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, or the potential impact this may have on the baby. This is currently being investigated. Pregnant women should continue to follow appropriate precautions to protect themselves from exposure to the virus, and…, >> Read: Navigating pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, Is it safe for a mother to breastfeed if she is infected with COVID-19?, All mothers in affected and at-risk areas who have symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing, should seek medical care early, and follow instructions from a health care provider. Considering the benefits of breastfeeding and the insignificant role of breastmilk in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, the mother can continue…, >> , Breastfeeding safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m worried about bullying, discrimination and stigmatization. What’s the best way to talk about what’s happening?, It’s understandable if you’re feeling worried about the coronavirus. But fear and stigma make a difficult situation worse. Public health emergencies are stressful times for everyone affected. It’s important to stay informed and to be kind and supportive to each other. Words matter and using language that perpetuates existing stereotypes can drive…, >>, , Supporting your child’s mental health as they return to school during COVID-19, >> , How parents can support their child through COVID-19 losses, >> How to talk to your child about COVID-19, There’s a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 online. What should I do?, There are a lot of myths and misinformation about COVID-19 being shared online. Get verified facts and advice from trusted sources like your local health authority, the UN , UNICEF , WHO . If you see content online that you believe to be false or misleading, you can help stop it spreading by reporting it to the social media platform ., COVID-19 has been described as a “pandemic”. What does that mean?, The term “pandemic” refers to the geographical spread of COVID-19, it is not an indication of the number of people who have been infected by the virus. << Back to UNICEF COVID-19 portal << Back to UNICEF Parenting COVID-19 guide for parents This page was last updated on 21 May 2021. For more information on COVID-19 see the WHO…
