COVID-19 FAQ

Parents Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19

Updated 12/18/2020

What is considered a “direct exposure” to COVID-19?

A direct exposure is defined as any of the following:

• Being within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes, starting 2 days before they develop symptoms until they are no longer contagious (see below). This definition applies even if both individuals are wearing masks and even if the encounter is outdoors.
• Direct physical contact (hugging or kissing) with a person infected with COVID-19
• A person infected with COVID-19 sneezed or coughed on you

“I sat with my friend 7 days ago, they had no symptoms, they tested positive today, am I exposed?” No.

“I sat with my friend 2 days ago, they had no symptoms, they tested positive today, am I exposed?” Yes.

“I sat with my friend yesterday for 15 minutes, both of us were wearing masks, they tested positive today, am I exposed?” Yes.

What is considered an “indirect exposure” to COVID-19?

This is when you are exposed to someone who was exposed to an individual with COVID-19. This is not considered a true exposure and you do not need to quarantine.

My child has had a direct exposure to COVID-19 – what now?

Quarantine rules for the child:

Your child needs to quarantine at home for 14 days from the time of exposure.

For older kids that can isolate from the rest of the family – they should stay in their room as much as possible, use a designated bathroom, wear masks in common areas of the home, and wash hands often.

For younger kids that can’t isolate – try to keep other children separate as much as possible, parents should try to wear masks and wash hands as much as possible.

Quarantine rules for the household:

If someone in your household was exposed, but is not showing any symptoms – the other family members in the home do not need to quarantine.

If someone in your household was exposed and develops symptoms – that person should get tested, and the other family members should quarantine until the results are back – if positive then follow quarantine rules as above, if negative they should still complete their 14 day quarantine.

Should I get my child tested if they were exposed and don’t have any symptoms?

It is NOT necessary or recommended to get tested if they don’t have any symptoms. If you want to get tested anyway, it is recommended to wait at least 5-7 days from exposure to do the test. BUT a negative test does not mean you can end quarantine early, they still must complete the 14 days.

My child has tested positive for COVID-19 – what now?

Quarantine rules for the child:

Your child is currently contagious and needs to quarantine until all of the following criteria are met:

1. At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset
2. They are 72 hours (3 days) fever-free
3. Their symptoms are improving

Infected individuals should stay in their room as much as possible, use a designated bathroom if possible, wear masks when in common areas of the home, and do frequent hand-washing.

Quarantine rules for the household:

If someone in your household tests positive – the other members of the family that live in the home need to quarantine for 14 days from the last contact with the infected person.

*** If the infected person is a young child and cannot isolate from the rest of the family – the other family members need to quarantine for 14 days from the time that individual is no longer considered contagious, which would be 10 days + 14 days = 24 days from exposure!

I had COVID-19 and now I want to prove that I am no longer contagious, what should I do?

The COVID-19 PCR tests are very sensitive and can often detect viral particles for up to 3 months after an infection. It is highly likely that you would test positive again, even though you are no longer contagious. It is NOT needed to obtain repeat testing to prove that you are not contagious anymore.

We would like to travel for the holidays – what do I need to know?

**Avoiding travel is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19

**Do not travel if you are sick or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19

If travel is necessary:

• Consider how prevalent Covid is in the state you are traveling to (the more cases around, the more likely you are to get infected)
• Consider the travel restrictions in place at your destination (some states are requiring negative testing prior to arrival, some states are requiring a 14-day quarantine on arrival)
• Consider the travel restrictions in place when you return home (some states require quarantine)
• Consider whether there are high-risk individuals in your home/family (Covid causes the most serious illness in the elderly and those with obesity, asthma, and diabetes)
• Consider the type of travel you are going to use – planes, trains, and buses all have higher risk than traveling by car with your immediate family (the longer you are around a person with COVID-19, the more likely you are to get infected)
• Wear a mask in all public settings – airport/airplane, train station/train etc.
• Maintain social distance of 6 feet as much as possible
• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Where can I get my child tested for COVID-19?

*** Please call our office to let us know where your child was tested and the results of the test

If symptomatic:

• Lurie’s Children’s Hotline (PCR test): 312-227-5300
• NorthShore Hotline (PCR test): 847-432-5849
• Advocate Healthcare System Hotline: 866-443-2584
• Advocate Alliance Urgent Care (Rapid or PCR test): 224-266-9420
• IDPH Website: https://dph.illinois.gov/testing (multiple locations)

If asymptomatic:

• Midwest Express Clinic (PCR): https://midwestexpressclinic.com/locations/skokie-il-urgent-care/
• Innovative Care Lincoln Park (Rapid or PCR test): https://innovativecorona.com/locations/#lincolnpark
• Elm Street Pediatrics (Rapid test): 847-501-4040