How To Manage Covid 19 In Children?

COVID-19 that started as a flu in Wuhan city of China has spread so fast resulting in a world pandemic that has been terrifying countries for the past around 1 and a half year. COVID has left no age group untouched. While the number of children cases is observed to rise a little but still the severe cases are not high like adults. Children just like adults can be a host and as well as a transmitter of the coronavirus whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. It is observed that mostly the children have either mild symptoms or no symptoms. However, children with some underlying health conditions are observed to be severely sick when attacked by a coronavirus.

A rare medical condition named MISC-C, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, is observed in children and studies are being conducted to understand the cause of this condition in children. So, it’s better suggested to have some idea on how to manage COVID-19 in children to control the situation before it turns severe.

Can Children Get COVID-19?

Irrespective of age, every child can be attacked by coronavirus. However, most of the kids impacted are not severely sick and many are not even showing any symptoms. Now, to take better care of kids, let’s understand everything about the symptoms in babies and children, why they are differently affected by COVID and what to be done to prevent further spread of COVID.

Before proceeding further to better understand how to manage COVID-19 in children, let’s know how likely are kids to be sick with coronavirus. While every kid has the chance of being affected with coronavirus, they don’t show as severe illness as adults and as well most of the COVID affected children are either showing no symptoms at all or very mild symptoms. And based on research, various authorized medical associations are suggesting that children below 10 to 14 years are at lower risk of being infected with the coronavirus while compared to those above 20 years. But don’t consider it as easy for children, because there are also some cases observed where even children are hospitalized, kept in ICU, and on ventilators. So, it’s better to prevent and if attacked take the best care possible so as to avoid a severe situation. Also, children with any underlying medical or health conditions are at a higher risk of COVID. Also, children below 1 year are also observed to be at a very higher risk as their immune systems are immature and as well because of their smaller airways.

Symptoms Of COVID-19 In Children

While both adults and children encounter similar symptoms of coronavirus, children show mild symptoms and are more like cold. Also, most children recover within a week or two. Understanding how to manage COVID19 in children depends on the understanding of the symptoms observed. Here are a few possible symptoms that include but may not be limited to;

Running nose or nasal congestion
Fever or sometimes chills
Coughing
Soreness in the throat
Breathing difficulty or shortness
Fatigue
Headache
Vomiting or nausea
Muscle and body pains
Diarrhoea
Pain in the belly
Poor to no appetite, more especially in babies below 1-year-old

It is suggested to always observe your child for any change, be on alert and take good care so as to avoid adverse conditions.

How To Manage COVID-19 In Children

To manage COVID in children, first, understand the child’s condition and think if they need a healthcare provider depending on the severity, child ability, prior medical conditions, and how well you could manage the situation. However medical organizations suggest anyone with COVID symptoms is to be tested and that includes children too.

First, while you care for your affected kid, be protected for yourself so that you won’t carry the virus to the rest of the family. Follow these during this period:
Regularly record the temperature and oxygen saturation of the affected kid. If the temp is above 100 degrees, then use a wet cotton cloth and wipe their body, and also give medicine to control the fever as prescribed.
Follow all the safety guidelines for yourself and for the child.
Feed the kid a light diet that is home-cooked, healthy, and hygienic food. Keep them hydrated with plenty of fluids.
Keep a look after any severe signs and if noticed bring them to your healthcare professional immediately.

Prevention Tips For COVID-19 In Children

Now that you understand how to manage COVID-19 in children, here are a few prevention tips;

Keep your hands always clean and more importantly while cooking and caring for others (kids, adults, etc).
Social distance keeps the virus away.
Regularly clean and if possible, disinfect your home at times.
Wear regularly washed clean masks.
Have healthy and protein-rich food.
If kids go to school, take utmost safety care.
Avoid close contact with anyone.
You must Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.

Follow the safety practices, keep an eye on your health, and let us unitedly win over COVID.

Sudheendra Reddy

Sudheendra is a passionate blogger for 8 years and holds a Degree in Journalism & Mass Communications. His writings particularly focus on health, medicine, diet & lifestyle. For him, everything that interlinks and relates to health & medical world entices him. His write-ups aim at educating people not by just giving facts but by infusing human touch.