Children and Adolescents: Respiratory Infection and Long-term Effects (CARE Study)

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been growing awareness that some children and teenagers experience ongoing symptoms long after their initial infection clears — sometimes called 'long COVID.' Similar patterns have been observed after influenza. Understanding how common this is in young people, and how it affects their school attendance, activities, and wellbeing, is an important public health priority. The CARE Study is following children and teenagers aged 0 to 17 in South Australia who have tested positive for COVID-19 or influenza. Parents or children (depending on age) complete surveys at the start of the study and again at 3, 6, and 12 months after the infection, to track any health symptoms that persist over time. Your child may be eligible if they have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 or influenza (by PCR or rapid antigen test) within the past 2 months and are under 18 years old. The study is survey-based and can be completed from home. A parent or guardian must be able to provide consent. Children receiving palliative care are not eligible.