COVID-19: Caring for Someone

Caring for a Child who has COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus

As the weather has gotten colder, there has been an increase in respiratory viruses among children including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza and COVID-19. These three viruses have been called a “Triple Threat” because they can cause serious illness, especially to children under five years of age.

Complete a daily symptom check for your child. Keep your child home if they have symptoms, even mild ones, and until they are feeling better and pass the daily COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire.

Here are some ways to provide care and support for a sick child:

• Offer them plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration (lack of fluids in the body).
• Encourage them to rest and offer them their favorite books, games, music, or movies.
• Have your child wear layered clothing that are easy to put on and take off during chills or fever.
• Treat fever and pain with medications when needed.
• Use a humidifier to help with a stuffy nose.
• Monitor symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if they are getting worse.

Speak to a healthcare provider or call 811 (Health Connect Ontario) if you have questions about your child’s health.

Seek medical attention if your child has any of the following:

• Is under 3 months of age with a fever or trouble breathing
• Fever that lasts more than 7 days
• Bluish skin colour
• Not drinking enough fluid
• Not waking up
• Fever with a rash
• Constant vomiting or diarrhea
• Has a weak immune system and has a fever

Prevent further spread of COVID-19 and respiratory viruses by:

• Wearing a well-fitted mask inside the home if possible, and especially for those who have symptoms;
• Isolating as much as possible from family members who are at high-risk of serious illness from COVID-19;
• Washing hands with soap and water frequently, or use hand sanitizer;
• Increasing air flow by opening windows if it is safe to do so;
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched items and surfaces such as dishes, utensils, counters, faucets, doorknobs and toilet handles;
• Not sleeping in the same bed as your sick child;
• As much as possible, staying six feet/two metres apart from all others in the household;
• Having all household members take the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment for recommendations on what to do next as a close contact/living in the same house as someone who is sick.

Anyone 6 months and older should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including a fall booster for anyone 5 years of age and older, and a fall influenza vaccine. Anyone aged 5 and older can safely get their COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine at the same time. Make sure that you child has finished their isolation before getting vaccinated.

Resource

• Looking After Yourself and Your family During COVID-19 Self-Isolation 
• COVID-19 information for parents and caregivers
• Navigating colds, flu, and kids: Don’t rush to antibiotics
• Shortage of infant and children’s liquid pain and fever medications
• Caring for your child with respiratory illness
• Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms
• RSV fact sheet (also available in French)
• Visit Ontario College of Physician’s Respiratory Infections webpage for resources on Infant and Children’s Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen Shortage Options

Caring for Someone who has COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus

If you are caring for or living with someone who has a respiratory illness, including COVID-19, follow these steps to reduce the spread of illness at home:

Clean Your Hands Often

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds after being in contact with the person who has symptoms and throughout the day.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.

Wear a Mask and Gloves

• Wear a high quality well-fitted mask when you are caring for someone with symptoms.
• Use gloves if you have contact with the person’s body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, vomit, urine or feces).

Dispose of Gloves and Mask after Use

• Right after providing care, take off gloves and clean your hands before removing your mask.
• Throw used gloves and mask in the garbage lined with a plastic bag.
• After taking off your mask, clean your hands again.

Limit Visitors

• Only have essential visitors in the home and keep visits short (e.g. support or home care professionals).
• Keep young children, seniors and people with medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, lung problems, weak immune system) away from the person who has symptoms.

Avoid Sharing Household Items

• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding or other items with the person who has symptoms.
• Household items should be washed with soap and warm water. No special soap is needed.
• Dishwashers and washing machines can be used.

Clean & Disinfect Frequently Touch Items Often

• Frequently-touched items include countertops, light switches, toilets, faucets,  and doorknobs.
• Regular household cleaners can be used. Choose a product that cleans and disinfects. Follow product instructions.

Wash Laundry Thoroughly

• You can wash laundry used by the person who has symptoms along with other items.
• Wear gloves when handling laundry.
• Clean your hands right after removing your gloves.

Handle Garbage Carefully

• Place garbage into bins lined with a plastic bag for easier and safe disposal.
• When emptying garbage bins avoid touching used tissues.
• Clean your hands after handling garbage.

Resources

• Looking After Yourself and Your family During COVID-19 Self-Isolation
• Read the Public Health Ontario guide