Can teenagers get COVID-19?

Teenagers can catch COVID-19 and may experience mild or severe symptoms. Vaccination, hygiene, and testing help reduce risks. Supporting friends and following health advice can protect young people and their communities.

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Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people of all ages have been affected by the virus. While it was initially believed that older adults were at the highest risk, it soon became clear that teenagers could also catch and spread COVID-19. But how does the virus affect young people, and what can you do to stay safe?

Can Teenagers Get COVID-19?

Yes, teenagers can get COVID-19. While younger people are generally less likely to experience severe illness compared to older adults, they can still catch the virus, spread it to others, and sometimes develop serious complications.

COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets, meaning it can be passed on when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. Teenagers, like everyone else, are at risk if they are in close contact with someone who has the virus.

How Does COVID-19 Affect Teenagers?

Most teenagers who get COVID-19 experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, some can develop moderate or severe illness. Common symptoms include:

Can teenagers get COVID-19?
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Headache or muscle aches

In rare cases, some teenagers develop serious complications, such as long COVID, where symptoms last for weeks or even months after infection. Others may experience a condition called Paediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (PIMS), which causes severe inflammation and can be dangerous if not treated quickly.

The Real-Life Impact on a Young Person

For many teenagers, getting COVID-19 is more than just a physical illness. It can also affect mental health, social life, and education.

Josh's Story:

Josh, 15, thought he wouldn't get COVID-19 because he was young and healthy. When his best friend caught the virus, Josh assumed it wouldn't be serious. But a few days later, he started feeling tired and had a bad headache. He soon developed a fever and a cough, and his parents made him take a COVID-19 test, which came back positive.

Josh had to isolate in his room for ten days. He missed school, football practise, and seeing his friends. Even after he recovered, he felt tired for weeks. His experience changed the way he thought about COVID-19he realised that even young people could be affected in ways they didn't expect.

How Can Teenagers Reduce Their Risk of Getting COVID-19?

While it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk of catching COVID-19, there are steps you can take to lower your chances of infection and protect those around you.

1. Get Vaccinated

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to teenagers in the UK and is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of serious illness. The vaccine helps your body fight the virus if you are exposed to it and also lowers the chance of spreading it to others.

2. Wash Your Hands Regularly

Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help remove viruses and bacteria. If soap and water aren't available, using hand sanitiser is a good alternative.

3. Wear a Mask in Crowded Places

Although mask-wearing is no longer required in many places, it can still help prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially in crowded or enclosed spaces.

4. Keep a Safe Distance

If COVID-19 cases are rising in your area, try to avoid close contact with people who may be infected. Social distancing can help reduce the spread of the virus.

5. Take a COVID-19 Test If You Feel Unwell

If you develop symptoms, taking a lateral flow or PCR test can confirm whether you have COVID-19. If you test positive, you should follow the latest guidance on self-isolation.

6. Keep Rooms Ventilated

Opening windows and allowing fresh air to circulate can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 indoors.

What Happens If a Teenager Tests Positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for COVID-19, it's important to follow the latest health guidelines. These may include:

  • Self-isolating for the recommended period
  • Informing people you've been in close contact with
  • Resting and staying hydrated
  • Monitoring symptoms and seeking medical advice if they worsen

Can Teenagers Get Long COVID?

Yes, teenagers can develop long COVID, where symptoms persist for weeks or months after the initial infection. Common long COVID symptoms include:

  • Extreme tiredness
  • Brain fog (difficulty concentrating)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Chest pain

Although long COVID is more common in adults, it can still affect young people. If you continue to feel unwell after recovering from COVID-19, speak to a doctor for advice.

How Can Teenagers Support Each Other During the Pandemic?

The impact of COVID-19 goes beyond physical health. Many teenagers have struggled with anxiety, loneliness, and stress due to the pandemic. Here are some ways you can support your friends:

  • check in with friends who are isolating or unwell
  • Encourage open conversations about mental health
  • Offer support with schoolwork if a friend has missed lessons
  • Respect peoples choices about wearing masks and social distancing

Final Thoughts

Teenagers can get COVID-19, and while most will experience mild symptoms, the virus can still have a significant impact on health, school, and social life. Taking simple precautions, such as getting vaccinated, washing hands, and testing when unwell, can help reduce the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 is still a concern, but by staying informed and supporting each other, teenagers can play a key role in keeping themselves and their communities safe.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

  • Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
  • The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
  • Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.