09/20/2020

COVID-19 and Sports Participation

What kind of testing should your child have if they had COVID-19 and want to return to sports?

Sports participation after COVID-19 infection is a difficult question to answer since this is all very new to the medical community but some recommendations have been made.We will address each situation:

1.COVID positive test WITHOUT symptoms: 

    • No exercise / sports participation for 2 weeks from DATE OF POSITIVE TEST

    • Monitor for symptoms during this time

    • May slowly resume activity after 2 weeks if cleared by PCP.

    • No further testing needed if no symptoms during the 2 weeks including no chest pain, fainting, palpitations.

If symptoms of Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting develop (especially during activity) participation should be stopped an evaluation by a Pediatric Cardiologist is recommended.

2.COVID positive test WITH mild symptoms (symptoms resolve in 3-4 days, NO fever) and NO hospital stay:

    • No exercise / sports participation for 2 weeks from END OF SYMPTOMS

    •   An EKG may be reasonable before returning to sports.

    • If EKG is abnormal or cardiac symptoms are present (chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting) evaluation by a Pediatric 

    Cardiologist is recommended.

    • After 2 weeks may slowly return to play / sports and monitor for issues if cleared by PCP.

If symptoms of Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting develop (especially during activity) participation should be stopped an evaluation by a Pediatric Cardiologist is recommended.

3.COVID positive test WITH moderate symptoms (prolonged fever, more than 3-4 days of symptoms) but NO hospital stay

    • No exercise / sports participation for 2 weeks from END OF SYMPTOMS

    • An evaluation by a Pediatric Cardiologist is recommended before return to sports which will include an EKG and likely Echocardiogram.

If symptoms of Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting develop (especially during activity) participation should be stopped an evaluation by a Pediatric Cardiologist is recommended.

4.COVID positive test WITH severe symptoms and Hospitalization

    • No exercise / sports participation for at least 3-6 months until cleared by Pediatric Cardiology

    • Echocardiogram, EKG and other testing may be needed.

5.COVID positive test in a child with a heart defect

    • No exercise / sports participation until cleared by Pediatric Cardiology.

    • Echocardiogram, EKG and other testing may be needed.

If you have questions about your child who has tested positive for COVID-19 please feel free to call our office and you may be able to take advantage of a Telehealth appointment.