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Respiratory Viruses and Children - Information for Patients

Frequently asked questions for BC Children’s patients about respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

October 3, 2023

Starting Tuesday October 3, to increase protections in health-care facilities, medical masks will be required by all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors and visitors in patient-care areas. For more information, please see the Government of BC website.

Visit bcwomens.ca for info specific to pregnancy, childbirth and respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

FAQs:

 

If your child is waiting for a surgery, you will be contacted to reschedule their surgery.

‎For routine and non-urgent appointments within our outpatient clinics, if parents or children are feeling unwell with viral symptoms – these can include fever, cough, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea – they should call the clinic they have the appointment with to determine if it should be postponed. A doctor or nurse will provide guidance.


For urgent outpatient appointments, families should still come even if they are sick – and to help protect staff and other patients, families should let their clinic know they have symptoms, and follow current masking guidance.


We also ask that all patients and families please continue to clean their hands at the hospital entrances and throughout their visit.

 

Yes, it is still safe to seek care. 

Starting Tuesday October 3, to increase protections in health-care facilities, medical masks will be required by all health-care workers, volunteers, contractors and visitors in patient-care areas. 


There are exemptions for children under the age of five, those unable to wear a mask because of a health condition or physical or mental impairment, and those who may need to be mask-free for communication/assessment purposes. For more information, please see the Government of BC web site.

B.C. has opened COVID-19 vaccine registration to all children and youth, aged six months and older. For more information on vaccines and for children, please see the BCCDC website.

Caregivers can register children ages six months and older for COVID-19 vaccination here.


Please see our Emergency Department web page for information on when to bring your child to the BC Children's Emergency Department.‎

 

‎So far, COVID-19 has affected adults much more than children. We think it is less severe, particularly in children under the age of 10.

 

SOURCE: Respiratory Viruses and Children - Information for Patients ( )
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