KSHB 41: Signs your child has COVID-19: What to watch for

By Caitlin Knute

As of July 24, Children's Mercy had confirmed 247 pediatric patients who tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr. Jennifer Schuster, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Children's Mercy, said common symptoms in children include cough or shortness of breath, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

"In our older children, we're seeing what we're maybe seeing described in adults, which is loss of sense of taste or smell," Schuster told 41 Action News.

She says the hospital also is seeing older pediatric patients with sore throats and headaches.

Overall, Children's Mercy says the cases doctors are seeing are mild, with the exception of eight pediatric patients who developed multi-system inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, a condition that appears to occur three to four weeks after contracting COVID-19. It can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, including the heart, lungs and gastrointestinal tract.

If you suspect your child has COVID-19 or you have questions about their health, you can call the Children's Mercy COVID-19 hotline at 816-302-8800.

See the full story via KSHB 41

Learn more about COVID-19 precautions at Children's Mercy