Children and Adolescents
Although post-COVID conditions appear to be less common in children and adolescents than in adults, long-term effects after COVID-19 do occur in children and adolescents. Young children may have trouble describing the problems they are experiencing.
If your child has a post-COVID condition that impacts their ability to attend school, complete schoolwork, or perform their usual activities, it may be helpful to discuss with your child’s healthcare professional and school possible accommodations such as extra time on tests, scheduled rest periods throughout the day, a modified class schedule, etc. School administrators, school counselors, and school nurses can work with families and healthcare professionals to provide learning accommodations for children with post-COVID conditions, particularly those experiencing thinking, concentrating, or physical difficulties. You may also request similar accommodations for activities outside of school, such as day care, tutoring, sports, scouting, etc.
For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)’s Resource to Support Children, Students, Educators, Schools, Service Providers, and Familiespdf iconexternal icon.
Understand Your Experience
Each person copes differently with a long-term illness, and there are different ways to manage the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of a new illness. Some people find taking an active role in understanding their condition is a comfort for managing their ongoing illness:
- Read about the experiences of other people with a post-COVID condition.
Understanding other people’s experiences with post-COVID conditions and reflecting on how these experiences may be similar or different than your own can help confirm you are not alone. - Contribute to ongoing scientific research.
Participating in research studies can build a larger understanding of new and unknown illnesses. Information about enrolling in clinical trials related to COVID-19 can be found at CombatCovid.hhs.govexternal icon, and includes opportunities for persons with and without COVID-19.
People experiencing post-COVID conditions may find different strategies to be helpful. If you are experiencing a post-COVID condition, you should engage in whatever coping strategies are best for your mental and physical health.
Ways to Cope with Stress
Experts are still determining which types of medications or treatments can help to relieve the effects of post-COVID conditions. However, there are established ways people can manage the stress associated with a post-COVID condition.
Here are some steps you can do to help manage and cope with stress:
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
- Take care of your body.
- Make time to unwind. If you feel able to, try to do some activities you enjoy.
- Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
For information, explore CDC’s recommendations on how to cope with a disaster or traumatic event.
If any of these steps require changes to your routine, diet, activity level, or medication, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, anxiety, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others:
Support People with Post-COVID Conditions
Experiencing post-COVID conditions can be confusing and frustrating, and a person who feels sick long-term may feel isolated. Everyone experiences these conditions differently and may want different types of support or even no support at all. To determine the most helpful steps you can take for others, first listen with compassion and ask questions about what they need.
CDC’s How Right Now campaign provides helpful tools for navigating conversations about the type of support someone with post-COVID conditions may need.
Employers can support employees experiencing post-COVID conditions by offering flexible leave and work schedule policies, and by providing access to employee assistance programs.
If you are a caregiver, remember that maintaining healthy behaviors and seeking additional support is an important part of helping other people.