Coronavirus and children: Mum’s warning after her children catch COVID-19

A mum has sent an urgent warning to other parents after her two children were hospitalised after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

A mum whose two children contracted COVID-19 has sent a message to parents saying reports that kids are less affected by coronavirus aren't reliable.

Bettina Rowley told 7.30 she ended up in an isolation ward with her two children after they were both hospitalised with COVID-19, after both developing symptoms in the space of a few hours.

The family live in Fussen, a German town near the Austrian border and previously lived on the Australian Sunshine Coast.

Her kids, Charlotte, 5 and Frederick, 3, developed symptoms in less than a day, suddenly taking ill, and recording fevers of more than 40 degrees at night.

She said just hours before, the two children had been playing happily outdoors. Within 24 hours both kids had also developed dry coughs, and she was alarmed.

RELATED: Follow the latest coronavirus updates

RELATED: Coronavirus Australia live updates

Bettina Rowley had to isolate with her children in a ward and operate hospital machines.

She wondered if they had coronavirus but told herself “surely not”.

She contacted her doctor and her kids were tested and within 48 hours the test result confirmed the children had contracted the COVID-19.

She said she became panicked by their symptoms, as their fevers became uncontrollable and they both stopped drinking water.

“On that day when they were positive, the health authorities called us and I said, ‘Look, I don't know what to do. I can't control their temperatures. They are starting to drink less and less’.”

She was then advised to take Charlotte and Frederick to hospital.

Hey friends. Long post alert. #coronaishere #coronaisreal#sendprayers🙏 We are a fit and healthy family. We love being...

Posted by Bettina Rowley on Thursday, 19 March 2020

In the hospital, Ms Rowley was allowed to self-isolate in a hospital room with her children.

She said Charlotte stopped being able to taste and blood tests revealed both children’s immune systems had been destroyed.

The hospital staff also taught Ms Rowley how to operate the medical equipment in the room, telling her “we don't want to come in, only in (an) absolute emergency”.

“As a mum you're just like oh, my gosh,” she said.

“They are always saying kids don't get sick. Now you are in hospital with both of your kids. You feel very, very lonely. Yeah. Very scared.”

Luckily both her children have now recovered from the virus.

RELATED: Do I have a cold, flu or coronavirus?

RELATED: X-ray shows how coronavirus destroys lungs

Ms Rowley said she has since been thinking about where they could have contracted the virus, saying she hasn’t been able to figure it out.

She said Charlotte and Frederick had still been attending kindergarten before the shutdowns happened across the country.

She said she decided to speak out about her children’s coronavirus diagnosis to warn other parents about the dangers.

The mum said the couple shared their story to help other parents.

“It wasn't easy for us to go public,” Ms Rowlings said.

“But we did this so that other people are aware and parents are aware this can happen.”