Q: What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

A: Reported symptoms in children have generally been mild and may include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported, however, were rare.

Q: What are we doing at GI For Kids to help prevent COVID-19?

A: We continue to clean and disinfect each room between patients, wash our hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizer when appropriate, and wear our personal protective equipment (ie…gloves and masks) when needed. We have multiple hand sanitizer stations in each office for patient/family/staff use.  Our office is also cleaned every evening by the housekeeping staff at ETCH. We will be limiting the number of adults that can accompany patients back to the room to two.

Q: Should I bring my child to her appointment if they have a fever?

A: No, if your child has a fever greater than >100 degrees F than our recommendation is to call your primary care office or proceed to the emergency room if you feel that your child’s condition necessitates that. Also please be considerate of the immunocompromised patients in our office by not bringing siblings or other adults to the office if they have had a fever >100 degrees F within the last 24 hours.

Q: Should I stop my child’s biologic therapy?

A: No, we feel that it is very important to continue your child’s biologic therapy. We continue to follow closely with NASPGHAN and other health organizations. An IBD registry has been created to report and follow any incidents of COVID-19 in IBD patients.

Q: What extra precautions should we be taking?

A: Our recommendations are to continue doing the same things that we do all year to stay healthy especially during regular flu season: 

• Practice good handwashing.
• Avoid touching your face and/or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with others who may be sick.
• At this time we do recommend both Children & Parents wear masks when in public.

Q: Does my child need to wear a mask?

A: Yes, per the latest guidelines by CDC we recommend both children and parents wear masks when in public. Masks are also required to be seen at GI For Kids. Please keep in mind that due to international shortages, we do not have masks available for patient or family use at this time.

Q: Can we travel?

A: If you have traveled internationally, had high risk travel (such as cruise ships), traveled to a high risk area, have symptoms of COVID-19, or been exposed to COVID-19; we will ask that you reschedule your appointment and/or infusion therapy for at least 14 days after you have arrived back home and/or 14 days after your exposure. 

Q: Can my child still have their procedure?

A: We are proceeding with procedures just as we always have. The only change is that the hospital has implemented their visitor restriction policy. No visitors under the age of 16 (including siblings) will be allowed to be with the patient.