Are Kids Spreading SARS-CoV-2?

Why do some folks think that kids aren’t spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19?

The usual suspects…

Are Kids Spreading SARS-CoV-2?

As Paul Thomas highlights, there have been studies and case reports that suggest children are not spreading SARS-CoV-2 to others.

“Studies of multiple family clusters have revealed children were unlikely to be the index case, in Guanzhou, China, and internationally A SARS-CoV2 positive child in a cluster in the French alps did not transmit to anyone else, despite exposure to over 100 people.”

An evidence summary of Paediatric COVID-19 literature

On the other hand, there are studies that suggest they do.

Something Paul Thomas doesn’t mention!

“Prolonged shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stools of infected children indicates the potential for the virus to be transmitted through fecal excretion.”

Prolonged presence of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of pediatric patients during the convalescent phase

So what’s the answer?

Like much about COVID-19, we don’t know yet.

“Asymptomatic infection is least likely to pass on the infection, with a chance of 33 per 100,000 contacts.”

Modes of contact and risk of transmission in COVID-19 among close contacts

It would make some sense that kids might not be a big source of COVID-19 infections though, as they often are asymptomatic or only have mild symptoms when they get sick.

“Two new studies offer compelling evidence that children can transmit the virus. Neither proved it, but the evidence was strong enough to suggest that schools should be kept closed for now, many epidemiologists who were not involved in the research said.”

New Studies Add to Evidence that Children May Transmit the Coronavirus

But we won’t know until more research is done, especially as much of the current research is contradictory.

Research that will be important as we consider opening up schools again.

More on Kids Spreading SARS-CoV-2

• When Measles Epidemics Would Close Schools
• Closing Schools During Flu Outbreaks
• COVID-19 Vaccine Update
• The Second COVID-19 Wave Might Not Be COVID-19
• Kids and COVID-19
• Why Are Social Distancing Kids Still Getting Sick?
• When to Call Your Pediatrician – COVID-19 Edition
• How do children spread the coronavirus? The science still isn’t clear
• An evidence summary of Paediatric COVID-19 literature, Don’t Forget the Bubbles, 2020
• Study – Shedding of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic neonates, children and adolescents
• Coronavirus: scientists caution against reopening schools
• Study – An analysis of SARS-CoV-2 viral load by patient age
• Study – Persistent viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in faeces – a rapid review
• Study – Prolonged presence of SARS-CoV-2 in feces of pediatric patients during the convalescent phase
• Study – Children are unlikely to have been the primary source of household SARS-CoV-2 infections
• Study – Modes of contact and risk of transmission in COVID-19 among close contacts
• Study – Changes in contact patterns shape the dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak in China
• Study – Household Secondary Attack Rate of COVID-19 and Associated Determinants
• Study to determine incidence of novel coronavirus infection in U.S. children begins
• New Studies Add to Evidence that Children May Transmit the Coronavirus

Last Updated on August 22, 2020 by Vincent Iannelli, MD