My Child Tested Positive for COVID-19

Follow the steps below after your child tests positive for COVID-19:

* Was this a "rapid" test you did at home? If an at home test is POSITIVE, it is POSITIVE. The chance of a "false positive" is very (very) low.  A subsequent negative rapid at home test, negative rapid test in the office, or negative PCR will not override the positive at home test.  We strongly discourage additional testing after a positive test.

  • Please note that Concord Pediatrics cannot write Back to School/Daycare/Sports notes based on negative home tests results.


  1. Stay at home: Follow ISOLATION (for people who test positive) and QUARANTINE (for household contacts of the person who tested positive) guidelines.
  2. Reach out: to anyone your child was in contact with during the 48 hours before they started to have symptoms, or during the 48 hours prior to the positive test result (if your child had no symptoms) to make them aware. 
  3. Treatment: Hydrate, rest, and eat well.  Use a humidifier if your child has congestion.  There is no protocol or official "at home" medicine regimen for children to follow at this time.  At this time no supplements have been proven to help children recover faster or avoid complications from COVID-19.  People with COVID-19 should avoid strenuous exercise, but gentle walking and movement is encouraged (try not to lie in bed or on the couch all day - gently move those legs to get blood circulating).  For those with cough - encourage deep breaths and change position every few hours to help keep the lungs open.  The treatments described below will help your child feel better and help the body's own defenses fight the virus:
    • Increase fluid intake
    • Use cool mist vaporizer or saline drops or nasal spray (with bulb suction for babies) to relieve congestion
    • Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for discomfort with fever or aches and pains
  4. When to call the doctor: The majority of children with COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms.  Dehydration, pneumonia, and wheezing are possible complications during the first 1-2 weeks of infection.  A very rare, but serious condition called Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is possibly connected to COVID-19 and can occur in the 2-4 weeks after infection.  Call Concord Pediatrics at (603) 224-1929 with any questions, or right away if your child has:
    • Fever (100.4 degrees or more) lasting over 48 hours
    • Diarrhea or Vomiting
    • Neck pain
    • Rash or change in skin color
    • Bloodshot eyes
    • Trouble breathing
    • Pressure in the chest that doesn't go away
    • Becoming confused
    • Unable to wake up or stay awake
    • Bluish lips or face
  5. After the Illness: Guidelines for health monitoring after COVID-19 in children are being developed and are likely to change as more research and data are available.  Find more information Return to Sports Guidelines at healthychildren.org.  Concord Pediatrics is following current recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
  • If your child needs "clearance" to return to sports, please read their guidelines carefully and discuss with the coach or trainer.  A child with a mild illness who has no concerning symptoms of heart or lung problems may be able to return without a visit to the pediatrician.  If a particular form needs a physician signature, we require an in-office visit.