Preventing COVID in Children

Introduction:

Preventing young adults and children from falling prey to COVID infection is definitely the primary responsibility and goal of every parent. Around or at least by the fifth day, if a child gets affected by the novel SARS-COV-2 pathogen, the child will also exhibit the COVID signs if they have contracted the viral pathogen by droplets or air.

Family members should isolate themselves as much as possible from children as well as young adults (home isolation protocols with disinfection) to prevent themselves from contracting the infection and at the same time care for them through the drugs advised by the physician, supplements, vitamins, dietary modifications, hand hygiene and implementing strict hygiene and disinfection till the infection subsides in the environment.

What Are the Early Symptoms of COVID-19 in Children?

Children with underlying medical conditions or immunosuppressed disorders are usually more prone to contracting the novel coronavirus. However, the below-given symptoms are the ones you need to pay immediate attention to, especially when the parent or the guardian is in a dilemma to seek a medical emergency for the child or not. The early symptoms of COVID-19 in children are,

1. Fever.

2. Vomiting may be accompanied by diarrhea.

3. Neck pain.

4. Low blood pressure.

5. Skin rashes.

6. Malaise or generalized fatigue.

7. Pale face or bluish face.

8. Breathing difficulties.

9. Inability to walk or tiredness to walk.

10. Abdominal pain that does not subside.

Medical attention should be strictly and immediately sought by the parent if they notice these symptoms in their child.

What Are the Preventive Measures and Importance of Oral Hygiene in Children?

Children are becoming vulnerable to COVID infection, and they may continue to get infected more during the second wave and the possibly upcoming third wave because lack of vaccination still makes them prone under the low immunity population. It is important for children to understand carefully what their parents are counseling or advising about the Corona infection, especially while staying outdoors or playing or mingling with friends.

Proper oral hygiene like brushing twice a day (pea-sized amount of toothpaste for brushing between 2 and 6 years) is of vital importance. Parental modeling to maintain proper oral hygiene like brushing and mouth washing, including changing and disinfection of the toothbrush every three months, will positively impact the child.

Hence, the oral cavity is the foremost defense mechanism that creates immunity against external and internal infections stopping the viral spread easily. Absolute oral hygiene and dental advice are not only necessities but also should be regularly sought from the dental surgeon if the child reports any dental/oral complaints or pain.

Vaccines: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has authorized the emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. This authorization extends to the use of these vaccines in children as young as six months old.

For the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization (EUA) to include the use of the vaccine in individuals ranging in age from 6 months to 17 years. The FDA had approved the vaccine for use in healthy adults aged 18 and up.

The FDA modified the EUA for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include the use of the vaccine in individuals aged 6 months to 4 years old. The administration of the vaccine had been cleared for use in people who were at least 5 years old.

What Is CAB or COVID Appropriate Behavior?

Based on advice from the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), the following tips and behaviors will definitely help in preventing the risk of contracting the COVID pathogen:

1. Children being superspreaders of the SARS-COV-2 pathogen is a myth. In fact, the ability of children to act as infection carriers is less incidental than in adults.

2. Parents and guardians need to educate and counsel the child about COVID appropriate behavior and continue to monitor any initial warning signs of COVID in their wards that may crop up in spite of maintaining precautions.

3. Getting vaccinated for everyone above 18 years of age is the primary responsibility to prevent COVID in families and especially young adults and children.

4. Disinfect the frequently touched surfaces by children. Try to keep the house disinfected and the doorknobs and surfaces, including the floor, clean and tidy.

5. Do not allow the children to touch elevator buttons (potential microbial source if a person touches without sanitization).

6. Children above two years of age can wear a mask.

7. Also, as much as possible, the children should not be in close contact with the older age group with underlying or preexisting medical conditions like immunosuppressed patients at a higher risk of contracting the pathogen despite vaccination.

8. Handwashing after coming home is definitely the most refined way to prevent microbial contamination at home.

9. The children should be encouraged as much as possible by behavioral remodeling of the parents and elder siblings to practice hand hygiene.

10. When at home and if they are going to school or meeting their friends, the child should wash the hands with soap and water or an antimicrobial sanitizer or hand wash.

11. If the child touches pets, blows its nose, or uses the restroom in such situations, parents need to educate them about the importance of washing their hands instantly before or doing these acts to maintain the sterile environment within the house.

12. A child should always have an N95 or an extra backup or spare mouth mask, especially when going out, so that in emergencies when the child misplaces or loses the mask, they can still follow the COVID appropriate behavior outside the home, at school, or in the playgrounds.

13. A balanced diet is what makes a child more nourished in order to prevent disease. Proteinaceous diet, milk and calcium-rich dairy products, pulses, cereals, and fibrous food can be incorporated into their diet to stop them from frequently falling sick and increase their immune resistance.

14. Apart from educating the child about pediatric vaccines and their role in immunizing their system, the child should also be educated positively about COVID vaccination as well, even though they may not be allowed to get vaccinated currently. This induces a positive frame of mind towards vaccination.

How to Care for the Child in Emergencies?

If a mother and her child or children are COVID-19 positive, the children can stay with their mother unless their mother is too sick to care for them or is admitted or hospitalized. In case of emergencies, when all the members of the family are hospitalized or are COVID-19 positive. Please call 1098. The children will be taken care of by CHILDLINE.

Conclusion:

Due to vaccination restrictions and possibly poor COVID behavior, children are at increased risk of contracting the disease. However, parents can manage and prevent infectious diseases by recognizing the warning signs and symptoms. Following COVID-appropriate behaviors, careful supervision and guidance by the parents, and seeking medical and dental advice helps to prevent COVID infection in children.