Does The Coronavirus Spread Easily Among Children?

Does the coronavirus spread easily among children?

It appears the virus can spread among children and teens, but how easily may vary by age. Research is still underway, but children under age 10 seem to be less likely than older kids to transmit the virus to other children and adults.

Children generally dont appear to get sick or experience symptoms as often as adults when theyre infected. Some evidence suggests that may be particularly true for younger kids. That might help explain why they appear less likely to spread the virus theyre less likely to be coughing and sneezing.

Some of the latest evidence comes from a recent report that showed infected children in Utah day care centers and day camps spread the virus to family members, including siblings. That suggested very young children with no symptoms or very mild ones can spread infection, but that the rate of spread was low.

A large study from South Korea suggested that kids aged 10 and up may spread the virus more easily to family members than younger kids, and might even spread it as easily as adults.

Spread among children was also suspected in an outbreak at a Georgia summer camp.

With other respiratory viruses, young children are the germ factories. In this case, its different and we dont really know why, said Dr. Sean OLeary of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

___

The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: [email protected]. Read more here:

What are the rules on masks in schools?

What are the different types of coronavirus tests?

Is it safe to reopen schools during the pandemic?

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor