This infographic is about:
Pediatric and Adolescent Topics on Post COVID-19 Condition
(also known as long COVID)
I think my child may have post COVID-19 condition (PCC), but I am not sure.
Post COVID-19 condition (also known as long COVID) usually appears within three months from an acute COVID-19 infection and lasts at least two months.
Symptoms may vary, can change or worsen over time, and significantly impact daily life, according to the World Health Organization.
Symptoms may look different between children and adults.
In children, the most common symptoms reported are:
Hear from other parents
“So we thought [the symptoms] would be gone in a month, in two months, in three months, in six months... it seems not. No other parents, no friends, no family have really known what to say. No one understands what this is unless you live it, you know.”
— Listen to Olivia, parent of child
with lived PCC experience
”I did not think it would ever affect kids... but later I learned that it can happen in kids.”
— Listen to Terry, parent of child
with lived PCC experience
Parents may find it concerning when they notice that their children are no longer able to take part in the same activities they once enjoyed.
School, sports, and other activities may look very different...
Raising awareness about PCC experienced by children: what progress has been made, how to recognize the signs in your child, and how best to support their care?
The Canadian Guidelines on Post COVID-19 Condition (CAN-PCC) Collaborative has developed guidelines about pediatric and adolescent topics. There are a number of recommendations to help parents make informed decisions about their child’s health.
To see a full list of recommendations and good practice statements on pediatric and adolescent topics, click here.
I suspect my child has symptoms of PCC — what should I do next?
It is normal to be worried and have questions if you think that your child has symptoms of PCC. Below are some things you can do to support your child.
Tracking your child's symptoms in a journal can help your healthcare provider understand the nature and severity of their symptoms, so they can support in the development of an appropriate care plan. Be specific about when they started, how often they occur, how severe they are, if anything triggers them, and how they affect their daily life, including school, social activities, and overall well-being.
If your child is old enough, encourage them to track their symptoms if they are able, or help them through the process.
Work with your child to monitor and track their symptoms
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about next steps. Together, you can review your child’s symptoms and determine which tests might be right for them to help guide their care plan.
If your child is old enough, involve them in the conversation to ensure their concerns and experiences are heard.
Talk to your child’s healthcare provider for more help
Evidence is evolving on this topic and information about PCC in children and adolescents may change over time. Visit CAN-PCC for the most recent updates about the recommendations.
Stay informed
Listen to Dakota who is seeking support from their friend Greg
Dakota: I think my child, Maya, has long COVID. Maya has been complaining of pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The symptoms have not gone away since their last COVID infection about 3 months ago. It is really confusing, and I do not know what to do.
Greg: Yeah, you must be worried. Have you noticed any other changes in Maya’s behaviour or how Maya is feeling? Have you talked with a healthcare provider yet?
Dakota: Not yet, but I have an appointment with Maya to see a doctor next week. I also found some recommendations online about long covid for children and I am going to ask the doctor about them.
Here are some CAN-PCC recommendations that you may want to review with your child's healthcare provider if your child has ongoing symptoms.
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How do I find trusted information?There is lots of information available online for COVID-19 and PCC. It can feel overwhelming to sort through what is trustworthy. Misinformation and disinformation can make it hard to find reliable recommendations about COVID and PCC. What is misinformation? Misinformation is false or misleading information presented as facts, regardless of intent What is disinformation? Disinformation is a type of misinformation that is purposefully misleading Check the source – look to trusted health organizations like Health Canada or educational institutions like McMaster University, Cochrane Canada. Websites ending in .gov and .edu may be more trustworthy than other sources. Look for scientific evidence – trustworthy websites will often link to scientific publications where they found the information. Look at the date – try to find the latest version of information to stay up to date. The following resources may help you figure out what health information you can trust: Check Then Share | Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy Evaluating Health Information | The University of California San Francisco Health
It is important to talk to a healthcare provider about any suggested medications and/or supplements that may help manage your child’s symptoms.
There are also good practice statements that have been developed to help healthcare providers work with you and your child to reduce the worsening of physical and cognitive symptoms, social isolation, and the risk of learning setbacks. For example, healthcare professionals should support parents, children, and adolescents with suspected or confirmed PCC and fatigue in integrating lifestyle interventions, specifically sleep hygiene, good nutrition, adequate hydration, and social interactions.
Every child’s symptoms and needs will be different, so what worked for one child may not work for another child.
To see a full list of recommendations and good practice statements
on pediatric and adolescent topics on PCC, click here.
What can I do to support my child’s well-being?
Trust your instincts: your gut feeling about your child’s heath matters. Validate your child’s feelings. Acknowledge and respect their emotions, symptoms, and experiences. Let them know that you are there to support them and that they are not alone.
Advocate for your child: speak up for your child’s needs — do not hesitate to ask questions, seek clarification or request longer appointments when talking to a healthcare provider. If necessary, seek second opinions and/or ask for referrals to specialists who can provide the right support.
Encourage peer support: find groups where children and adolescents can connect and share their experiences.
Take care of yourself, too: supporting your child can be challenging. Make sure to prioritize your own well-being so you can be there for them. Seek support (e.g., from other parents), rest, and resources when you need them.
What can I do to support my child’s mental well-being?
Screening for mental well-being in children with suspected or confirmed PCC can help identify children with, or at risk of developing conditions such as depression and anxiety.
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How do I find trusted information?There is lots of information available online for COVID-19 and PCC. It can feel overwhelming to sort through what is trustworthy. Misinformation and disinformation can make it hard to find reliable recommendations about COVID and PCC. What is misinformation? Misinformation is false or misleading information presented as facts, regardless of intent What is disinformation? Disinformation is a type of misinformation that is purposefully misleading Check the source – look to trusted health organizations like Health Canada or educational institutions like McMaster University, Cochrane Canada. Websites ending in .gov and .edu may be more trustworthy than other sources. Look for scientific evidence – trustworthy websites will often link to scientific publications where they found the information. Look at the date – try to find the latest version of information to stay up to date. The following resources may help you figure out what health information you can trust: Check Then Share | Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy Evaluating Health Information | The University of California San Francisco Health
What can I do to support my child’s learning?
If you child is unwell, it may be important to work with their school administration and healthcare provider to create a tailored plan that best supports their health and learning needs. Prioritize their well-being (e.g., physical, mental, social) while finding a balance that allows them to rest, pace and learn at their comfort levels. That may look different in every stage of their PCC journey.
When considering how to support your child’s learning, it may be important to evaluate whether returning to school or learning from home is the best option, and what types of accommodations may be helpful.
Here is a list of some accommodations that you can ask the school about to help your child stay on track with their education:
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Supportive space (e.g., quiet, calm)
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Flexible schedules
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Extra support from teachers and staff
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Frequent breaks and rest
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Extended test times and deadlines
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Modified curriculum and/or workload
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Hybrid (in-person & virtual learning)
Will your child be returning to school?
Will your child be learning from home?
Here is a list of some accommodations that you can make at home or ask the school about to help your child stay on track with their education, if they are not able to return back to school and will be learning from home:
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Supportive space (e.g., allocated space)
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Flexible schedules
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Regular check-ins from teacher and staff
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Tutoring
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Extended test times and deadlines
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Modified curriculum and/or workload
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Virtual learning
More research and new information about PCC may lead to updated guidance for children and adolescents.
For the latest information, visit canpcc.ca.
Visit the other guideline topics to learn more about:
