Whereas final yr it was not the case, this yr, increasingly kids have began getting affected by the coronavirus an infection, as a part of the second wave. As such, dad and mom could also be fearful about them, having a number of questions unanswered.
To deal with their doubts and assuage them, Dr Sreenath S Manikanti, senior pediatrician and neonatologist at Fortis La-Femme Hospital in Bengaluru shared with indianexpress.com solutions to some FAQs about COVID-19 in kids. Learn on.
“Nearly all of kids with COVID-19 are asymptomatic. Most can have gentle sickness, and 60-70 per cent are both asymptomatic or have gentle illness. Only a few kids, who’re symptomatic (1-2 per cent) require ICU care in tertiary centres,” the physician mentioned.
FAQs:
1. Is there a rise in an infection within the second wave in kids?
Sure, in all probability due to a number of causes:
* Mutants, that are extra infectious.
* Laxity on a part of the household — COVID-appropriate behaviour was decreased.
* Now, PCR testing is simpler to do for teenagers, so extra youngsters are identified with Covid.
2. Are the signs completely different within the second wave?
Signs are related. Fever, nonetheless, lasts longer and is barely extra. Adolescents seem to have longer fever of 5-6 days. Gastrointestinal signs reminiscent of diarrhea, vomiting and belly ache are seen extra within the second wave, together with fever, physique aches and cough.
3. How do kids get contaminated?
Largely from different members of the family and siblings, going out to play. Mode of transmission is usually direct contact and airborne. Unfold by way of fomites has very much less likelihood.
4. If one household is constructive, ought to everybody together with asymptomatic kids be screened?
Sure, there are two causes to do a check: < 0.1 per cent will develop extreme illness. However admission could also be troublesome on this scenario with out check studies; and to scale back transmission, for asymptomatic kids, get checks achieved 4-5 days after the grownup is constructive.
5. What checks are achieved if the kid is suspected to have Covid?
Ideally an RT-PCR. One can do a Fast Ag check in circumstances of problem of getting a report, but it surely’s much less delicate. Generally, sampling could also be insufficient, inflicting unfavourable checks. Therefore, even when the check is unfavourable however the baby seems to be COVID-positive, we have to deal with it as constructive if there’s contact historical past. New variants are prone to picked up with RT-PCR.
6. Tips on how to handle a toddler or a member of the family who’s Covid constructive?
House isolation, treating fever with Paracetamol above 100F, good hydration, regular eating regimen, and symptomatic therapy if gentle signs.
7. What to watch (if telephonic monitoring by pediatrician)?
Elevated respiration, breathlessness, elevated irritability, excessive grade fever persisting for greater than 4 days.
8. Tips on how to handle a toddler if dad and mom have examined constructive?
Isolation is troublesome in nuclear households; higher if the youthful baby is left with the mom. Mother and father must put on masks and take precautions. If it’s an older baby, the father or mother who has examined unfavourable can handle the kid. Sending them to grandparents’ will be dangerous, if asymptomatic. Take a look at the kid earlier than doing that.
9. Can kids be tremendous spreaders?
Sure, they can provide an infection to others, together with different members of the family and different youngsters.
10. Mom is RT PCR +ve, can she breastfeed the new child?
Sure, advantages of breastfeeding outweigh the dangers. Mom can breastfeed taking sufficient precautions like utilizing a masks and sanitiser.
11. Can kids be remoted with a father or mother if the kid is constructive and fogeys are unfavourable?
There could also be a variety of anxiousness if the kid is left remoted. Preserve them with the father or mother — use acceptable PPE. Attendants mustn’t are available in contact with different folks and get examined in the event that they develop signs.
12. Reinfection threat in kids?
Not clear, however very small threat as with adults.
13. Vaccination beneath 18 years?
As of now, there isn’t any knowledge on efficacy and security of COVID vaccine in kids. Trials are on in youthful kids, whilst younger as 6 months previous.
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