Signs and symptoms

What if you suspect your child has coronavirus symptoms?

The latest information on symptoms of Coronovirus infection can be found here.

The advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer is as follows:

• Stay at home for 10 days if you have either:
  • a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly
  • loss of / change in smell or taste
  • have tested positive for covid 19

Stay at home for 10 days if a member of your household tests positive.

However, if you feel you or your child are too unwell to stay at home or may have another condition (particularly if under six months of age), you may still need to seek help. Please see here for information about young children with a high temperature.

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do. Only call NHS 111 if you cannot get help online.

Stay at home advice can be found here.

What if you suspect your child has coronavirus and they have a separate hospital appointment or operation?

You should not attend the hospital for an appointment if you or your child has coronavirus or has coronavirus symptoms. Please telephone in advance so that we can make alternative arrangements and know that you will not be coming.

What is Alder Hey’s role in the response to coronavirus?

Alder Hey is a centre for treating children and young people with coronavirus and there will at times be patients with this illness being cared for in our specialist facilities. As one of a small number of centres in England that treat people with very infectious diseases, our experienced team are well prepared for this. You may see members of our staff wearing protective equipment to keep themselves and our patients safe.

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

• Wear a face covering whenever you are in close proximity to others.
• Stay 2 metres apart at all times, or at least 1 metre is 2 is not possible.
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.