However, studies show that they are less likely to experience symptoms that persist or recur after infection.
There are many estimates as to how frequently the symptoms, known as long COVID-19, occur in children. A U.K. study published recently found that about 4% of children and teens who were infected had symptoms lasting more than one month. Most of the symptoms were resolved within two months.
Children often experience long-term symptoms such as chest pain, coughing, and brain fog, even if they have not had any symptoms.
While some studies show higher rates of persistent symptoms than the U.K. study found, children are less likely to experience these symptoms than adults. According to some estimates, 30% of COVID-19 adult patients experience long-term symptoms.
Experts don't know what causes long-term symptoms. It could be a result of organ damage from the initial infection. It could also be due to the virus or inflammation that lingers in the body.
After an initial coronavirus virus infection, children can develop rare conditions such as heart inflammation or multisystem inflammatory syndrome. This can include inflammation and fever affecting various body parts. Most children who are affected need to be admitted to the hospital, but they will recover. Adults can also be affected by the same condition.
Doctors are concerned about the rapid spread of the contagious delta variant, which has led to concerns that more children could be at risk of developing long-term COVID-19 or other conditions.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children who have recovered from a coronavirus infection should be seen by a doctor again.