Following a positive COVID-19 test, your child will need to be isolated for 10 days and be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. But once they are allowed to return to school, is it safe to return to their normal activities and sports?
Parents, coaches and school districts have been anxiously awaiting guidance from pediatric experts on recommendations for safe return-to-play guidelines following a COVID-19 illness.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published their recommendations for return-to-play for children who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The guidelines are meant to help children safely return to their normal activities and sports. The return-to-play recommendations are based on the severity of symptoms experienced by the child during their illness.
Mild symptoms are defined as: less than four days of fever above 100.4 °F and less than 1 week of body aches, chills and lethargy.
Moderate symptoms are defined as: greater than or equal to four days of fever that is above 100.4 °F, and greater than or equal to one week of body aches, chills or lethargy or a non-ICU hospital stay with no evidence of Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C).
Severe symptoms are defined as: any child with a hospital ICU stay and/or artificial ventilation or was diagnosed with Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
Children with mild COVID-19 symptoms (as defined above) and under the age of 12 years of age may progress back to sports/physical education classes according to their tolerance. If older than 12 years of age and older should be cleared by a physician and utilize a gradual seven day return-to-play protocol.
Children who had moderate or severe symptoms will need to rest longer and be carefully screened for cardiac symptoms. They may also need to be seen by a cardiologist prior to returning to sports
School districts may vary on their return-to-play paperwork and protocols. Consult your individual schools athletic department for their return-to-play guidelines.
If you believe your child needs a return-to-play physical, bring them to Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care! Physicals are $45 and are completed by a pediatric provider.
Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care opened in 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. With multiple locations in San Antonio and Dallas, they are open seven days a week with extended evening hours and see walk-in patients or through an online check-in system. They accept most commercial insurance and Medicaid plans. More information about Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care can be found at www.littlespurspedi.com.
