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COVID-19 in Children

While children have fewer and mild symptoms and bounce back quicker, it can be psychologically challenging for the child and the entire family to deal with COVID-19. This makes it very important to catch symptoms early on and administer proper home care to keep children safe.

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When it comes to the novel Coronavirus, information is power. It is necessary for parents to be aware of how to protect unvaccinated children and know what steps to take if their child has symptoms of COVID-19, or tests positive.

How Vulnerable are Children?

While all children are capable of getting the virus that causes COVID-19, many do not become as sick as adults do. They usually show milder symptoms. Children with underlying conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma, might be at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19. For example, children with asthma can have more severe symptoms of COVID-19 as compared to people with any other respiratory disease. Similarly, kids whose diabetes is poorly managed tend to have a weaker immune system.

Symptoms of COVID-19 in Children

  • Fever or chills
  • Runny nose
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches/body aches
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Poor appetite
  • Loss of taste or smell

While all children are capable of getting the virus that causes COVID-19, many do not become as sick as adults do. They usually show milder symptoms. Children with underlying conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma, might be at higher risk of serious illness with COVID-19. For example, children with asthma can have more severe symptoms of COVID-19 as compared to people with any other respiratory disease. Similarly, kids whose diabetes is poorly managed tend to have a weaker immune system.

Treatment for Children

Upon identifying and noting down the symptoms, call your doctor. If your child’s symptoms are mild, the doctor will recommend that you can care for them at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that kids who have symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home to prevent spreading the illness.

Most children who have mild symptoms can be treated with supportive care at home. Supportive care is aimed at relieving symptoms of the illness using over the counter medications, adequate rest, and fluid intake. Some children with severe symptoms might need to be hospitalized, treated in the intensive care unit, or placed on a ventilator to help them breathe.

Home Care for Children with COVID-19

Home care for mild symptoms is very effective. Most children recover from Covid-19 within one to two weeks. A doctor will help guide you about the treatment protocols and medicines to be used for home care, but here are some general pointers to keep in mind:

  • If your child has symptoms, quarantine them in one room. If possible, make them use a separate bathroom.
  • Assign just one healthy adult to frequently visit the child’s room as a caregiver. This is to avoid more members of the household contacting the virus.
  • If the child is over 2 years and does not have any underlying conditions, they can safely wear a mask. Teach the child to put on a mask when the caregiver is in the room with them.
  • Children can get uncomfortable and anxious when isolated. Talk to them, let them interact with other family members virtually, answer their questions and concerns and maintain an environment of positivity around them.
  • If the child’s fever is greater than 38°C, you may either use paracetamol or tepid sponging with lukewarm temperature water. Other symptomatic treatment to relieve the symptoms could be used only after confirming with your doctor.
  • Make sure that the symptomatic child follows proper respiratory hygiene like covering their mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Dispose used tissues immediately.
  • Use wipes to clean items that are touched by all members of the family frequently. This includes door handles, light switches, remote controls, phones, and toys.
  • Watch for signs that your child might need more medical help, such as trouble breathing, complete loss of appetite, excess sleepiness. If initial symptoms like fever keep getting worse, take the child to the ER.

What to Feed your Child During Home Care?

Fluids help support the immune system as it fights the virus. High fever and diarrhea can also lead to an excess loss of fluids, which can cause dehydration.

Safeguarding Children from COVID-19 in Public Spaces

Caring for anyone, especially a young child, who has COVID-19 can be stressful. To avoid this situation, precautions and prevention in public spaces are necessary. Here are some strategies to maximize safety when in public:

  • Natural fruit juices

    milk and other high calorie beverages are ideal. Soups made from vegetable or meat stock are also a good choice.

  • Foods rich in Vitamins C and D

    can improve the immune system by increasing the infection-fighting cells. Including citrus fruits, yellow fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables (spinach), garlic, ginger, yogurt, almond, turmeric in a child's diet can help strengthen immunity to fight infections.

  • Continue to provide a balanced diet

      which includes food from at least four food groups daily; including grains, pulses, fruits & vegetables, milk products, and nuts.

  • Children learn by example. The best way to ensure that they take masking up seriously is by always wearing a mask properly in public yourself. If your child is above the age of two and does not have a health condition, he or she should wear a mask.
  • When in public, teach your kid to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth repeatedly or without washing hands.
  • Tell and keep a watch on your children so that they cover their mouth and nose with their elbow or a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Such a tissue should be disposed of immediately.
  • If you end up using public restrooms, ensure that the child can wash hands with soap and water. If this is not possible, then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 70% or more alcohol. Make sure that children use sanitizers under adult supervision. You do not want them to injure their eyes while using a public sanitizer (which are usually placed at the height for adults, thus by default at eye levels for kids, posing a danger to accidently spray into their eyes), nor do you want them to use it incorrectly. 
  • Children should be made aware of keeping a 6 feet distance from anyone in public. When outdoors, try to avoid situations, events or days that are crowded. For example: avoid going grocery shopping on a holiday, when other people are also more likely to do so.
  • If your child has started going back to physical school or daycare, call and enquire or visit the premises to ensure that the premises are following physical distancing and hand hygiene.

Dr. Sanjay Perkar​

Specialist Pediatrician
Fakeeh University Hospital, Dubai

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has induced a lot of stress and anxiety, especially about the wellbeing of children. Remaining calm, well-informed, and vigilant will go a long way in ensuring that you and all children remain safe from the virus. Lastly, remember that the best way to protect young children is to make sure they are surrounded by healthy and vaccinated adults.

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