Emerging Issues for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Tennessee Department of Health is committed to keeping you and your family informed on the latest news around the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19. COVID-19 information changes quickly, so be sure to check the Tennessee Department of Health, the Tennessee COVID-19 Information Hub (tn.gov), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites regularly for the latest news.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and state COVID-19 testing information, visit the Tennessee COVID-19 Information Hub (tn.gov).
To help protect you and your family from coronavirus , the Centers for Disease Control recommends the following:
- Get Vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
- Wear a mask
- Stay 6 feet away from others
- Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds
- Test to prevent spread to others
- Wash your hands often
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect
- Monitor your health daily
- Follow recommendations for quarantine
- Follow recommendations for isolation
- Take precautions when you travel
- People of any age can get COVID-19, even healthy young adults and children.
- People who are older or have certain underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
- Other groups may be at higher risk for getting COVID-19 or having more severe illness.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Other symptoms are signs of serious illness. If someone has trouble breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone, get medical care immediately.
- Quarantine and Isolation Calculator
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Get tested
- Separate yourself from other people
- Monitor your symptoms
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- If you are sick, wear a well-fitting mask
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Clean surfaces in your home regularly
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home
- Get care immediately if you are having emergency warning signs, like trouble breathing or pain or pressure in chest while breathing
For more information on how to protect yourself and others, please visit the CDC website.
For information on COVID-19 and children and families with children and youth with special health care needs, see the links below:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC
COVID-19: What Families Need to Know - HealthyChildren.org
Coronavirus Information & Resources - Family Voices - Family Voices
Resource eBlast - March 2020 - Resources for Families (constantcontact.com)