How does COVID-19 Impact Children and Young People?
How does COVID-19 impact children in particular? Are they more at risk, or at less risk, for acquiring the virus?
Coronaviruses that affect humans are typically benign and present with common cold-related symptoms. The virus that causes COVID-19, known as the SARS-CoV-2, is a coronavirus that circulates in animal reservoirs that mutates, infecting humans. This new viral illness, which is notably contagious, presents just like a common cold or flu. This means that children can easily acquire this viral infection and, once they are infected, may have fever, sore throat, dry cough, body malaise, and diarrhea.
COVID-19 can rapidly progress and the infected individual can develop difficulty breathing due to lung infection, causing severe pneumonia, and infections involving other vital organs.
ALL AGE GROUPS are at risk of acquiring this viral infection, just like having a common cold. It is mostly acquired through respiratory droplets (from sneezing, coughing); close contact with someone who is infected, and through touching our dirty hands to our eyes, nose, and mouth.
What can a parent do to prevent their child from getting the virus?
It is very important to practice good sanitation and personal hygiene. Always keep in mind to wash your hands properly after touching any object or before touching your face.
Remember the word WUHAN:
Wash hands always
Use masks properly, completely covering your nose and mouth
Have your temperature checked regularly
Avoid large crowds and uncooked food
Never touch your face with unclean hands.
How can a parent recognize the signs of COVID-19 compared to other common childhood illnesses, such as a cold? What are the signs and symptoms specifically for children?
It is difficult to recognize if our children have COVID-19 because it presents similarly with the signs and symptoms common colds or influenza infection, such as fever, dry cough, and body malaise.
What can a parent do if their child exhibits any of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19? Can they make an appointment with their regular pediatrician?
COVID-19 presents with similar signs and symptoms to a common cold or flu, but has serious complications. We advise your child to see a doctor at once if he or she is not feeling well, has a fever, cough, and body malaise, or even diarrhea.
Our Hospital is open 24 hours every day and patients can be seen in the Fever Clinic for proper evaluation and management.
What can a parent expect if their child does have the virus?
Early consultation with a Doctor after recognition of signs and symptoms is very important for early evaluation, diagnosis, and management. If your child is confirmed to have COVID-19, this will be reported to the proper medical authorities who specialize in dealing with this kind of infection.
Will it result in any long-term health related issues?
COVID–19 is a new viral infection with no definite treatment as of the moment, but can present with serious complications, such as a severe lung infection. At this time, it is difficult to assess the long-term health related impact. Extra caution is advised for those children with chronic ailments such as heart disease, asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), diabetes, and other gastrointestinal and kidney problems because COVID-19 could seriously aggravate their conditions.
If this does occur, what should a parent do regarding their other family members? Should they isolate the child?
Since COVID-19 is a new viral infection which is contagious, it is important to separate the infected child from other members of the family who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Asymptomatic members of the family who are exposed to a child with COVID-19 need to undergo self-quarantine, meaning self-isolation, in order to lessen their exposure or contact. This can help to minimize the transmission or spread of infection if they are harboring the virus. These family members need to stay at home and avoid loitering around or going out for at least for 14 days, since the incubation period of this virus is from 2-14 days. Observe and practice good sanitation and personal hygiene while under quarantine. Monitor your condition daily, by taking such actions such as a temperature check and observing for the occurrence of cough, colds, and body malaise. If any member of the family presents with signs and symptoms during self-isolation, it is advised to consult a Doctor for early evaluation and diagnosis. Early recognition of the COVID-19 is very important to ensuring that immediate and proper management by the expert medical authorities can be provided in order to avoid severe complications.
Who else is at risk if a child contracts COVID-19?
Anyone, regardless of age, who is exposed to the infected child is at risk for contracting COVID–19 because it is contagious and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact. Hence, proper hand washing is always advised.
Is there any kind of special diet that may be needed to prevent the disease in children? Or if a child contracts the disease?
A balanced, healthy diet with green leafy vegetables, meat, fruits (especially Vitamin C-rich fruits), and plenty of fluids is advised. Food should be properly cooked and you should avoid eating raw food. Fruits and vegetables should also be properly washed before eating. A good amount of sleep is very important to maintaining a healthy mind and body.
What kind of treatment is available if a child get’s sick with COVID-19?
Since COVID-19 is a new viral infection, there is currently no specific anti-viral treatment available as of this moment. There are some selected anti-viral medications undergoing evaluation or clinical trials that look to have some promising results.
Should parents talk to their children about the virus? That is, should a parent explain what it is?
It is important for us parents to discuss this matter with out children. We need to talk to them about what is happening around our community during this current situation. We need to explain to our children what a virus is, how we get it, what are the consequences if we acquire the COVID-19, its complications, and how to prevent it. This way, they are equipped with some knowledge and awareness in dealing and coping with the current situation. Teaching them proper hand washing and good sanitation are the most effective ways of preveting this viral infection.
How should parents go about discussing the virus with their child?
Discuss it in a way that makes it more interesting to children. We need to be creative, demonstrative, and bring enjoyable experiences when teaching them so that they can easily grasp the knowledge that we would like to impart on them. Make it a pleasurable experience, especially in teaching them the proper hand washing technique, such as by singing “Happy Birthday “ twice while washing their hands.
What should a parent do if their child begins to experience any stress or anxiety related to the virus?
Since most of our children are now staying at home due to the current situation of the virus outbreak, it is important for us parents to spend our valuable time in comforting them, especially if they start to feel stressed or anxious. Express your love and affection, show them you are present, and that we are always there when they need us. Children will feel well-comforted and secure, thus lessening their feelings of stress and anxiety.
Seek medical assistance if you cannot handle or manage the situation.
What should parents be doing to make sure their child stays healthy, both physically and emotionally, during this time?
We need to show our tender, loving care. Parents' love and affection for their child plays a very important role. Spending more of our valuable time in comforting and take caring of our child has a significant impact on their well being. Children who always feel the presence of their parents and are well loved, creates a stress free, comfortable, and secure atmosphere in a family.
Hence “bonding moments” play a significant role for a healthy and stable mind and body for our child, especially during this crisis.
Dr. Joan Gonzales is an internationally trained Pediatrician with over 14 years of experience in emergency and intensive neonatal care, high-risk deliveries, and extreme prematurity. Our Department of Pediatrics ensures that your child will receive high-quality, international pediatric outpatient and inpatient care while your family is here in Beijing. We work closely with other professionals at BJU to evaluate and recommend treatment for children with special needs. We are also committed to helping you find pediatric subspecialty care if needed. BJU offers pediatric emergency care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Come in and see a pediatrician when your family needs it the most. To make an appointment with Dr. Gonzales or one of our other Pediatricians, call our 24hr service center at 4008-919191.