In the current climate, we are recommending testing for any symptom that could be COVID, especially if there is a known exposure. Our office is experiencing an increase in symptomatic children who require evaluation and testing for many different illnesses. Thus, we have limited availability. Fortunately, most COVID-positive children will not require an office visit or telemedicine visit. If your child’s symptoms are concerning you can call to request a same-day appointment.

If your child tests positive at home or during a school screening, they do not require a confirmatory test. Please follow the updated CDC guidance for isolation. We do our best to keep our News section up to date but please call for questions or visit CDC website for up-to-the-minute, reliable information.

We have limited appointments available for our established patients. Our COVID PCR tests are run through LabCorp. Parents must have patient portal access to obtain the results. You can also register through LabCorp in addition to our portal but, not instead of our portal. Both positive and negative results will be available on your child’s patient portal.

If you do not have portal access please request it while in the office, there is a PIN number provided that is unique to each patient. The Account must be activated within 24 hours of recieving the PIN.

If your child is infected with COVID you are advised to:

• Monitor their symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, change in tone), seek emergency medical care immediately.

• You can use fever-reducers in children. Please call to discuss for children < 6 months.

• Have them stay in a separate room from other household members and pets, if possible.

• If unable to isolate, have household members wear a well-fitting mask indoors, if possible

• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.

• All members of the household should consider themselves a “close contact” and follow guidance specific to vaccination status.

• Notify anyone in contact within 48 hours of symptom onset or positive test if asymptomatic

• If your child is well or has minor symptoms please help us keep their chart up to date by adding their COVID infection into their medical record by sending a Patient Portal message to your doctor at Patient Portal Link

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Yes, you should continue breastfeeding if you can. If you are too sick you can opt to pump your milk. CDC advises that you wash your hands, wear a mask, continue breastfeeding, and avoid carrying around the newborn if possible. Current evidence suggests that breastmilk is not likely to spread the virus to babies.

Monitor your newborn for fever, fatigue, runny nose, cough, vomiting, poor feeding, and work of breathing. Call your doctor if any of these symptoms develop.

Unvaccinated Asymptomatic

• Get tested on or after day 5 of the last exposure

• Self-quarantine days 1-5 after exposure

• Strict Masking days 5-10

Vaccinated Asymptomatic (boosted or Pfizer/Moderna within last 6 months)

• Not required to self-quarantine during this time

• Get tested on or after day 5 of last exposure and mask indoors until results are back

• If unable to get tested they should wear a mask indoors for 10 days

• Get tested, assume it is COVID, and start isolation

• Self-isolate until test results are back

• Avoid others in your home, if possible, or mask around the household

Yes, we enthusiastically recommend the vaccine for the majority of our patients 6 months and older! At this time, we know that the vaccine decreases the risk of severity, hospitalization, and death. This is a significant layer of protection for a highly contagious virus.

Please get your child(ren) vaccinated. Also, see our booster information in the "News" Section of this site or go to CDC link here.

Most children, especially those vaccinated, will not require treatment beyond supportive care - hydration, fever-reducers, and rest.

• The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma have not been well evaluated in children.

• Several anti-SARS-CoV-1 monoclonal antibody products have received EUAs for treatment of nonhospitalized patients 12 yrs and up with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at risk of progression to severe disease. However, recent data suggest it may not work as well with the omicron variant and there is a short supply.

• Remdesivir is an IV medication that can be used in children 12 yrs+ and > 40 kg requiring hospitalization.

• There is insufficient data to support recommendations for or against the use of increased doses of Vitamins C or D.

• The FDA recommends against the use of Zinc above the recommended daily value at this time

At this time, many of our parents, guardians, and patients are vaccinated, thus, we are allowing up to 2 adults per visit to accompany their child to any visit. We understand that siblings may need to accompany parents but appreciate limiting this when possible.

We are asking that anyone who has active COVID infection, reschedule their WELL visits for 10 days after the start of infection/positive test.

We will see our COVID positive patients that require an in office visit for a safety and wellness assessment as needed. We ask that you make our staff aware when you book the appointment, where a well fitted mask, and do not use the waiting room. We will call you in when your room is ready

Per the CDC, If separation of the COVID positive parent from others in a home is not possible, those family members will have ongoing exposure; they will be repeatedly exposed until that person is no longer able to spread the virus.

The parent with COVID-19 and all members of the household should wear a well-fitted mask and remain in the home. Please go to our website to review specific guidance on quarantine and testing for your child with “ongoing exposure”

The unvaccinated child/dependent should begin quarantine immediately and continue to quarantine throughout the isolation period of the person with COVID-19. Continue to quarantine for an additional 14 days starting the day after the end of isolation for the person with COVID-19. Get tested again 5-7 days after the end of isolation of the infected household member

The vaccinated child/dependent should get tested twice - Once, 5-7 days after their first exposure. (remember: a person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting 2 days before they develop symptoms, or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms). Then again, 5-7 days after the end of isolation for the person with COVID-19. Wear a mask indoors in public until 14 days after the infected person’s isolation period ends or until the fully vaccinated close contact receives their final test result.