COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is caused by a new strain of a family of viruses known as coronaviruses, which are frequently found in animals and can also circulate in humans.

Three novel coronaviruses have emerged this century, including SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) in 2002, MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus) in 2012, and SARS-COV-2 (which causes COVID-19) in December 2019.

COVID-19 has spread much further around the globe than either of these other viruses and has already caused more deaths than SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV combined.

How is COVID-19 affecting children?

The evidence emerging from studies in China and elsewhere is starting to give us a better picture about the impact COVID-19 has on children. It is clear from studies published so far that of all age groups, children and teens are at the lowest risk of dying from COVID-19.

Those who are infected are experiencing mostly mild to moderate disease. However, researchers still have much to learn about COVID-19 and children. We are seeing lower numbers of children infected compared to what we'd normally see with other respiratory viruses. We don’t know whether that’s because they’re not being infected, whether they’re so mildly affected that you can’t tell they have the virus, or whether it’s because they’re not being tested as they don’t meet the testing criteria. Once blood tests are available that can document evidence of a previous infection we will be able to determine more.

What are the most common symptoms in children?

Infected children often have a cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhoea and a headache. Doctors in China reported less than half of the children with infection had a fever and many had no symptoms. Most infected infants, children and adolescents with COVID-19 in China had mild infections and recovered within one to two weeks. 

What about the risk to unborn babies?

Pregnant women are always considered a vulnerable or at-risk group for infections. However, so far pregnant women do not seem to develop more severe symptoms of COVID-19 than the general population. In most cases, it is expected pregnant women will only experience mild or moderate symptoms. Unless there are significant life-threatening symptoms as a result of COVID-19, there is no current evidence that induced labour or a caesarean section is necessary.

Information so far is limited by the newness of the virus, but there is no current evidence suggesting the virus can pass to your developing baby while pregnant, or that the virus will cause abnormalities in your baby. Scientists are working to learn more as quickly as possible.

There is no current evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through breast milk. If you wish to breastfeed your baby, it is safe for you to do so. However, if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, please consult your Doctor about breastfeeding.

We encourage pregnant women to visit the following websites for further information:

• Australian Breastfeeding Association
• National Perinatal Association
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists