COVID-19 can affect anyone of any age, including children and adolescents. Although children are less affected by COVID-19 infection and, if they are infected, they are asymptomatic or slightly symptomatic. Only a few serious cases of COVID-19 in India have been observed requiring hospitalization.1
There is a fear in people than the third wave of COVID-19 will affect children. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this theory so far as in the first wave, the elderly have been more affected, in the second wave, many young adults have been affected. Thus, it was assumed that in the third wave, the children will be more affected. There is also fear in people only because children have not been vaccinated yet, they will be more affected. To cope with this situation in the future, doctors and government officials reinforce the preparation for Covid-19 for a third wave.
Symptoms of Covid-19 in children
According to the Ministry of Health and Guidelines on the Management of Covid-19 Management in the Pediatric Age Group, the main common symptoms of infection in children are cold, a slight cough, a fever, a pain Body, a weakness except those who resemble the pain resembling the abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell or taste. It is important for the early diagnosis and treatment of CVIV-19 in children. 3
To find out if the child is infected by Covid-19, it is important to test the child. If the child has been in contact with Covid-19 positive patient from the family or has symptoms of Covid-19 or a child has fever that continued beyond three days, then Take medical advice by the doctor and get the child tested and isolate at home.
COVID-19 positive children’s management
If a child is found infected, it is important to isolate it immediately in a separate room from the rest of the family (if possible) and take medical advice. The family should connect to the child by calls or video calls and can have a positive conversation.
If the mother and her children / children are both positive about Covid-19, children can stay with their mother, unless their mother is too sick to take care of them or is hospitalized. Mothers can continue to breastfeed to his infant as much as possible and feasible. In a situation, where only the mother is positive and not hospitalized and not sick, but the child is negative and no other childcare option is available, the mother can take care of her children. However, while doing so, it must continue to take the best possible sanitation measures and to wear a mask properly.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) 4
According to the Health Services Branch (DGGH) for COVID-19 management in children, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) has been observed in children after 2 to 6 weeks of CVIV-19 recovery. The common symptoms of MIS-C in children are parts of the ignited body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes or digestive system. They can show symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, blood eyes, confusion, shocks, conjunctivitis or fatigue. The cause of MISC is unknown. However, many children with MISCs had been affected by Covid-19 before. Early diagnosis and medical care and treatment are essential to reduce the risk of serious complications in MIS-C children.
Covid-19 vaccine for children in India and other countries
Currently in India, the administration of vaccination is only for adults. Clinical Trial of Covaxin (Phase II / III) in children (above 2 years) and adolescents are under treatment5. Some countries have already begun to vaccinate young children aged 12 and over. After the successful clinical trial of Pfizer-Biontech in children aged 12 to 15, the vaccine is made available to everyone over 12 years of age or older. 6