Can telemedicine treat COVID-19 in children?

Audience: pediatric

Telemedicine can be a helpful way to manage many aspects of COVID-19 in children. It allows families to connect with healthcare providers remotely, reducing exposure risks and providing guidance on symptoms, testing, and care. Through video or phone visits, providers can assess mild symptoms, recommend home care, and decide if further in-person evaluation is needed. However, telemedicine cannot replace urgent medical care when a child’s condition worsens or if emergency signs appear. It is important for parents and caregivers to watch for warning signs and seek immediate help if needed. Telemedicine is a useful tool for education, monitoring, and follow-up, but it works best as part of a broader care plan that may include in-person visits and testing.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Child has difficulty breathing or is breathing very fast — seek emergency care immediately.
• Child shows persistent chest pain or pressure — get urgent medical attention.
• Child is very drowsy, confused, or hard to wake — call emergency services right away.

What telemedicine can do

• Assessment of mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms in children
• Providing advice on symptom management and home care
• Guidance on COVID-19 testing and isolation
• Monitoring recovery and follow-up care
• Answering questions about COVID-19 prevention and care

What telemedicine cannot do

• Emergency care for severe respiratory distress or complications
• Physical examination requiring hands-on assessment
• Administering treatments needing in-person medical support
• Hospitalization or urgent interventions

What telemedicine can do for children with COVID-19

Telemedicine allows healthcare providers to:

Limitations of telemedicine for pediatric COVID-19 care

Telemedicine cannot:

If a child’s symptoms worsen or emergency signs appear, in-person care is essential.

Recognizing warning signs in children with COVID-19

Watch for these red flags and seek immediate medical help if your child has:

These signs require urgent evaluation in person.

Preparing for a telemedicine visit about COVID-19

Before the visit, prepare by:

After the telemedicine visit: what to expect

After the visit, you may be advised to:

Preventing COVID-19 spread at home

To protect others in your household:

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Record your child's current symptoms and how long they have lasted
• Take your child's temperature and note any fever
• List any medications or treatments your child is using
• Have information about possible COVID-19 exposures ready
• Prepare a quiet space with reliable internet or phone connection
• Write down questions or concerns to discuss during the visit

After your tele-visit

• Follow the healthcare provider's advice on home care and symptom monitoring
• Keep track of any changes or worsening of symptoms
• Schedule follow-up telemedicine visits if recommended
• Arrange for COVID-19 testing if advised
• Seek emergency care immediately if warning signs develop

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose COVID-19 in my child?

Telemedicine providers can evaluate symptoms and recommend if testing is needed, but they cannot perform the COVID-19 test remotely. Testing usually requires visiting a clinic or testing center.

Is telemedicine safe for managing my child's COVID-19 symptoms?

Yes, telemedicine is a safe way to get advice and monitor mild symptoms while reducing exposure risk. However, it is not a substitute for emergency care if your child’s condition worsens.

What should I do if my child’s symptoms get worse during telemedicine care?

If your child develops emergency warning signs like difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, or severe drowsiness, seek in-person emergency care immediately.

How can I protect other family members at home?

Isolate the sick child if possible, practice good hand hygiene, wear masks when caring for them, clean surfaces regularly, and follow local health guidelines on isolation.

Sources

1. COVID-19 in Children: What We Know So Far — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
2. Telehealth: What You Need to Know — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
3. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) — Mayo Clinic.
4. COVID-19 Clinical Care Guidance — American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If your child has severe or worsening symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention.