Corona-virus (covid-19) is a disease which first took place in Wuhan, China, 2019. ‘CO’ represents corona, ‘VI’ denotes virus, and ‘D’ stands for disease. Good news is that children with COVID-19 disease experience milder symptoms than adults do. According to a Chinese research, no deaths were stated among children aged nine years and younger. According to a research published in Paediatrics of COVID-19, 90% of Chinese children who were infected by corona-virus had mild symptoms. Although children are less susceptible to corona-virus, they can still be infected.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, it was thought that children are not getting infected with the corona-virus, but now it is clear that the amount of infection in children is the same as in adults,” explains Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity at the University of Oxford. “It’s just that when they do get the infection, they get much milder symptoms 1.”
According to another Chinese study, children under 19 years of age encompassed only 2% of the 72,314 Covid-19 cases recorded by February 20, 2020.
Symptoms:
Most common symptoms | Less common symptoms | Severe symptoms |
| Fever | Aches and pains | Difficulty breathing |
| Dry cough | Sore throat | Chess pain or pressure |
| Tiredness | Diarrhoea | Loss of speech |
| Headache | ||
| Loss of smell | ||
| Rash on skin |
People also have similar symptoms due to influenza or common cold. They get confused whether it is corona-virus or not. So, testing is required to confirm if they have COVID-19.
When does a child need immediate emergency medical attention?
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish lips
12 ways to protect your kids from corona-virus:
Here are some preventive measures you and your family should take to help avoid infection:
1) A proper sanitizer is enough to make your hands free of germs. You can also use soap and wash your hands with it for 20 seconds at least. Sing a song while you wash.
2) Maintain 6 feet distance when you go outside your home.
3) Cover mouth and nose with tissue while coughing or sneezing.
4) Your nose, mouth and eyes should not be touched.
5) Talk to friends and relatives over the smartphone or computer.
6) Wear masks and hand gloves as they protect us from germs. Babies and toddlers under 2 years old have smaller airways. So, they should not wear masks as they could suffocate.
7) Stay away from people who have cold or flu-like symptoms.
8) Do not eat in restaurants.
9) Clean surfaces which are touched often. Your phones, doorknobs and light switches should be cleaned with sanitizer regularly.
10) Healthy eating and sleeping habits should be your priority. Encourage your child to eat lots of nutritious fruits and vegetables which contain vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. Advise them to wake up early in the morning and exercise together as a family. It develops their immune system and reduces stress.
11) Avoid crowded places. Buy groceries from e-commerce sites.
12) Seek medical care if you or your child experience symptoms.
