COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations

COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations services offered in Joplin, MO

As the nation continues to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, families in and around Joplin, Missouri, often have questions about how to protect their children from infection or how to know when a family member might have COVID-19. The team at Pediatric Associates of Southwest Missouri offers COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and scheduling a visit is simple whether you book online or by phone.

When should I come in for COVID testing?

Knowing the signs of COVID-19 helps parents know when it’s time to take action and bring their child in for screening. Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 in children include:

Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Diarrhea
Congested or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting

If you notice these changes in your child, schedule a time to come in for COVID-19 screening. Because these symptoms are also common with flu infections and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), your child may be tested for these conditions in addition to COVID-19.

Why are COVID vaccinations so important?

COVID-19 vaccines are essential for both personal and public health, for kids and adults. Vaccines work by triggering your child’s immune system to build a strong response to a specific type of infection. Once your child has the COVID-19 vaccine, they are much less likely to become seriously ill if they encounter the virus at full strength.

Vaccines also protect others within the community. When a large percentage of any given community is immunized against a specific disease, that disease cannot easily spread because there are fewer hosts to infect.

COVID-19 vaccines remain an important part of slowing the spread of the disease and keeping disease rates at manageable levels. If you have any questions about the safety or efficacy of the vaccine, your child’s practitioner is happy to discuss the matter with you in detail.

What happens if my child’s COVID testing results show an infection?

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, it’s important to remain as calm as possible. Most kids who catch the virus fight it off with relative ease and only experience a short period of symptoms.

That said, kids with another health condition or who are immunocompromised in any way sometimes have a more intense experience with COVID-19. Be sure your practitioner knows the full details of your child’s health history.

Your child’s provider will explain how you can soothe your child and help them move through a bout of COVID-19. You’ll also learn how to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others within the household. When you’re ready, book a visit online or over the phone to connect with the team. Telehealth visits are also an option.