Children and Covid - An expert advice to safeguard them By Dr.Sagar Sharma,Consultant - Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Columbia Asia Hospital.
SarjapurRoad (A unit of Manipal Hospitals)
Spread of corona virus infections among children has been a major concern. While there is
some talk of the third wave and its resultant impact on kids, we won’t have any reasons to
worry if suitable health protocols are followed along with timely vaccinations.
It’s a fact that fewer children have contracted Covid-19 as compared to adults. However,
children who are infected can spread the virus to adults quite easily. Most kids infected by
coronavirus have mild or no symptoms. In some cases, they may require hospitalisation and
intensive care.Children with underlying medical conditions are more likely to contract the
virus.
Some of the underlying conditions include asthma or other chronic lung diseases, diabetes,
sickle cell anaemia, heart disease since birth, immunosuppression or any adverse metabolic
conditions or obesity.If the kid has any such underlying condition, the doctor has to be
immediately informed. Suitable action can then be taken at the earliest and the doctor can
chart the necessary course of treatment. It is important to flag any such concerns soon after
the child contracts coronavirus, without delay.
Symptoms of coronavirus among children
Covid-19 symptoms are similar in children and adults. They will resemble any other common
illnesses like cold, throat irritation or any other form of allergy. For kids, the most common
symptoms of COVID-19 are fever and cough. They may also get chills or nasal congestion.
Just like some adults they may also suffer from loss of taste or smell. Diarrhoea may be
another symptom. One has to also watch out for stomach ache, tiredness, body ache etc.
For babies who are under one year of age, poor appetite may show up as a symptom.
Monitoring children during the pandemic
It is important to monitor the child for the various possible COVID-19 symptoms. Body
temperature of the kid has to be checked periodically. It’s advised to check whether the
temperature is above 100.4 degree F. Check if the child has a sore throat and alsocheck for
uncontrolled cough. Look for any difficulty in breathing. For kids who suffer from asthmatic
cough, verify if there is a change from their usual coughing pattern. Check if there vomiting
sensation or severe headache accompanied by high fever.
Seek emergency medical care for the child, if there are warning signs. Especially if the child
appears confused, has trouble breathing, has pain in the chest for long periods of time. Pale
or blue-coloured skin, lips or nails are additional signals.
Preventive measures
All the members of the family should get vaccinated for Covid-19. This will greatly reduce
the chances of children getting infected. If an infected person is in close contact with the
child, by day 4 or 5, the child will also show symptoms. So, it is important to isolate the
infected person. Make sure that surfaces frequently touched upon by children are
disinfected. The floor of the house should be kept clean. Door handles need special
attention.
Children should be able to understand the instructions given by parents. Explain to them in
the detail about the importance of following a certain health protocol. They may not realise
this immediately and that’s where good, consistent communication plays a role. Children
should use hand sanitisers frequently, use masks whenever required and talk with others by
keeping a distance of at least six feet. Also, try to avoid any contact with infected people.
Medical condition called MIS-C
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a medical condition associated
with Covid-19 in children. MIS-C is a rare, but dangerous condition that can occur after the
COVID-19 infection. It is an inflammatory reaction in the body which typically develops
about four weeks after the coronavirus infection. The symptoms include fever, rashes, red
eyes, diarrhoea and vomiting. The inflammation can then affect the heart, blood vessels and
other organs, leading to a complicated situation.
MIS-C is a treatable condition. Most children recover fully from the disease. The
inflammation can be controlled with the help of medicines. Lasting organ damage can also
be prevented with timely medical intervention.
Covid-19 Vaccination
Vaccinations are regarded as the first line of defence against diseases. It’s important to
follow the vaccine schedule as far as children are concerned. An infant gets some passive
immunity from the mother after birth. However, the immunity wears off during the child’s
first year.
Covid-19 vaccination of children in 12-18 age group is in phase 3 trials. By the end of this
year it is most likely to be made available for children. It is our responsibility to ensure that
our children are vaccinated against this deadly virus. Hence, care has to be taken to ensure
that the children are vaccinated as soon as it is made available.
