COVID-19 Info

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the office

Thank you for being flexible as we adapt to an ever-changing situation.

Here are two things you can do to make sure you get the information you need:

Make sure you have an active portal account. Not only is this an easy way to ask questions and see growth charts and immunization records, this is the fastest way to get your COVID test results if needed for school or work. Not sure if you have an account? Call us!
Be sure we have your correct phone and email information so you can receive important announcements and updates.

The material provided here is for informative purposes only. If you need specific medical advice, please call our office for an appointment or to speak with one of our advice nurses.

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 updates from the Oregon Health Authority, including dashboards with the latest case, test positivity, and vaccine data.

Oregon's Safe+Strong page has COVID guidance and local support services.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a library of helpful articles about COVID-19, from symptoms to vaccines and more.

Check the CDC's COVID Page for the latest updates.

Get a COVID-19 Test

Get tested at the office. We offer molecular COVID tests with results in 15 minutes. These are more sensitive than at-home tests, and do not require swabbing to the very back of the nose. We also have PCR tests that can be sent to the hospital lab. Call our office and we can set up a telehealth appointment to discuss exposures, symptoms, and which test would be appropriate. In addition to testing during in-office appointments, we also offer appointments for drive-by testing. All COVID test results are reported to the OHA, and we are required to ask you to complete a REALD questionnaire if you have not already done so; this can also be completed over the portal.

Get tested elsewhere. Many pharmacies and urgent care centers offer COVID testing, or use the OHA's COVID-19 Testing Locator to find other testing locations, including options for free testing.

Get at-home antigen tests. Insurances are required to cover 8 free at-home COVID tests per person, per month. This can be done through your pharmacy, without a prescription. Many at-home tests are serial tests, meaning they are designed to be repeated in 24-48 hours. Follow the instructions on your test.

Find out more about the different types of COVID tests in this article from the AAP.

COVID-19 Exposures

If you or your child has had an exposure to COVID-19, use the CDC's Quarantine and Isolation Information to determine what steps you need to take, when to test, and how to protect others.

Learn the difference between quarantine and isolation in 30 seconds.

If Your Child is Sick

If someone in your family is sick, they should stay home from work, school, and gatherings and get tested. COVID-19 symptoms include sore throat, fever or chills, headache, fatigue, cough or shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms can be severe, or they can be mild enough to mimic allergies, and they can be similar to many other illness, such as influenza, croup, RSV, or strep. Call our office for guidance.

A negative test does not necessarily mean you don't have COVID-19. Especially in the first few days of illness false negative tests are common. You should continue to wear a mask, stay away from gatherings and vulnerable people, and repeat testing in 24-48 hours.

If Your Child has COVID-19

A COVID-19 infection is treated much the same way you would treat other viral illnesses; rest, hydration, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain or fever, and nasal saline for congestion. There are a number of precautions you can take to try and keep it from spreading to others in the home.

Call 911 or go to the Emergency Room for these emergency symptoms, as they can be signs of a severe infection or complications:

Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Call our office if you have any concerns about your child. Let us know by phone or portal of positive COVID-19 tests so we can update your medical history.

Find isolation information, supports, and a survey to report a positive home test through the Oregon Health Authority. This information is available in multiple languages.

Get some tips on how to talk to your child about their positive COVID-19 test.

Learn how to recognize post-COVID symptoms and conditions children and teens may experience, as well as long-haul COVID

COVID-19 & Sports/Exercise

Because even asymptomatic COVID-19 infections can cause heart inflammation that can be worsened with exercise, call us if your child has positive COVID test so we can help advise when and how they can return to physical activity. Depending on symptoms we can tell you if a telehealth or in-person visit is recommended. Even after they are cleared to exercise, they should stop immediately and notify us for these symptoms:

Chest pain
Increased shortness of breath
Sudden heart palpitations
Feeling faint or passing out

Medications for COVID-19

Children and teens who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 infection may be able to receive antiviral medications. There is limited data on the use of these medications in the pediatric population; currently Paxlovid and Remdesivir are the preferred treatments. Paxlovid is an oral antiviral medication for those that are 12 years and older and weigh at least 88 pounds. Remdesivir can be given to younger children, but this is an IV infusion given over three days. You can find more information on the OHA Treatment Page. Call us right away if you think your child is at high risk, as these medications need to be started as soon as possible.

COVID-19 FAQs

What is Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)?

MIS-C is an extremely rare but serious condition in children that is associated with COVID-19 infection. MIS-C is characterized by inflammation in multiple organ systems (brain, heart, lung, kidney, skin, or intestines), and can cause blood clots. Children with MIS-C are very ill and require hospital care, along with follow-up care after they leave the hospital. Fortunately, most children with MIS-C have recovered.

Call right away if your child has ongoing fever AND any of these symptoms:

My child tested positive for COVID-19; how long do we have to wait for them to get their COVID-19 vaccine/booster?

They can get their COVID-19 vaccine after the 10 days of isolation is over, as long as their symptoms are resolved. Waiting 2-3 months may lead to a better vaccine response, but with Omicron infections there is a risk of a new infection during this time, as Omicron infection provides very little immunity. You can find more information about timing here.

Why can't my child exercise if they have a positive test but have no symptoms?

COVID-19 infection has been shown to cause heart inflammation in young poeple, even with mild or asymptomatic infections. Both myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and epicarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) have been seen. These conditions could worsen and become dangerous with exercise. Steps need to be taken to either clear a student athlete or determine if they need an ECG or a cardiology consultation to make sure they can return to sports safely.

I just had a baby; how can I keep them safe from COVID-19?

There are many steps you can take to keep your baby safe. One of the most important ones is to make sure you and everyone living with or taking care of your baby is vaccinated against COVID-19. Limit visitors to your house, and have anyone who is sick wait to meet your baby. Babies love being outside so go for walks as much as you would like, but don't take your baby to large gatherings or crowded places.

I have COVID-19; how do I keep from giving it to my baby? Can I breastfeed?

In the hospital and at home, wear a mask when you are near or holding your baby. Ventilation (air purifiers, open windows) helps to decrease the risk of spreading COVID by lowering the number of viral particles in the air. Breastfeeding is encouraged, as you can give your baby antibodies your body has made, but it is important to wash your hands and wear a mask. You can find more information from the AAP and the CDC.

Is my child at high risk for a severe COVID-19 infection?

We are continually learning more about COVID-19 and how it affects people differently, and children may well have different risk factors than adults. The CDC has a list of conditions that are thought to put people at high risk for severe COVID-19; people with these risk factors may be able to receive antiviral medications. You can find more information on the OHA Treatment Page. Call us right away if you think your child is at high risk, as these medications need to be started as soon as possible.

When can my child return to daycare or school after a COVID-19 infection?

COVID-19 behavior (contagiousness, symptoms, length of illness) and recommendations for ending isolation are both constantly changing. Oregon guidelines for daycare settings can be found here. Each school district sets its own policies based on public health recommendations; find your district here.

Can a COVID infection cause changes in menstrual cycles?

It's somewhat challenging to study, merely because so many things can affect our menstrual cycles... illness, stress, exercise, calories, and, of course, puberty! Because of this it is difficult to do studies and control for all of the factors that can affect menses. But, the emerging evidence does suggest that COVID infections (and in some even the vaccine) can cause temporary changes in menstrual cycles, both as far as timing and amount of bleeding. So far what we have seen is that this is a temporary effect, and cycles return to the person's normal.

Have more questions? You may find the answer in the AAP's Ask the Pediatrician: COVID-19 Roundup, and you can always ask us!