What are the symptoms of coronavirus in children and how to treat it

How the coronavirus in children differs from the coronavirus in adults

First of all, with extreme ease or complete absence of symptoms. Among adults infected, there are also What the data say about asymptomatic COVID infections are asymptomatic, but this happens more often in children.

According to some Clinical Characteristics and Viral RNA Detection in Children With Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the Republic of Korea, in about 9 cases out of 10, neither the parents nor the pediatrician even suspect that the child has a coronavirus infection. The disease is discovered quite by accident: for example, during selective preventive testing for COVID-19.

A Public Health Antibody Screening Indicates a 6-Fold Higher SARS-CoV-2 Exposure Rate than Reported Cases in Children and German researchers came to the conclusion that it is extremely difficult to recognize coronavirus in children. They tested for antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus on almost 16 thousand children aged 1 to 18 years.

It was found that children with antibodies (that is, those who have had coronavirus) are actually 6 times more than those who were officially diagnosed with COVID-19.

This means that most cases of the disease go unnoticed. And the real number of infected children is most likely much higher than statistics reported.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus in children

It is very difficult to recognize COVID-19 in children. Even if the child has symptoms, they are nonspecific to Coronavirus outbreak and kids and most often completely coincide with the signs of a mild cold:

Low, up to 38 ° C, temperature. Doctors call it subfebrile.
Lethargy, fatigue.
Cough. Sometimes just a slight cough.

Much less common is Coronavirus in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention, fever, sore throat, muscle and body aches, nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhea, headache, nausea or vomiting, and loss of smell and taste.

When to see a doctor immediately

Serious complications of COVID-19 in children are also quite rare. According to the Children and COVID-19: State-Level Data Report of the American Academy of Pediatrics, hospitalization is required in 3-50 cases for every thousand cases (the range depends on the US state where the information was collected). For comparison: among adults who have caught SARS-CoV-2, according to the Media Statement: Knowing the risks for COVID-19 WHO, inpatient treatment requires one in five.

However, it is necessary to know the signs of complications in order to seek help on time.

Dial 103 or 112 urgently if, against the background of a cold or lethargy, you notice the following warning symptoms of Coronavirus in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention in a child:

shortness of breath, delays, interruptions in breath;
uncontrolled urination;
clouding of consciousness;
difficulty waking up after a long sleep;
bluish lips.

All this may indicate a lack of oxygen due to large-scale damage to the lungs.

In addition, in children, COVID-19 sometimes causes a specific complication - multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and COVID-19. Previously, its manifestations have associated Coronavirus outbreak and kids with Kawasaki disease, which was thought to be caused by the coronavirus. However, now the multisystem inflammatory syndrome has been isolated as a separate and very dangerous diagnosis.

Call your pediatrician as soon as possible or, depending on how you feel, call an ambulance if your child has a temperature above 38 ° C for more than a day Coronavirus in Babies and Kids: Symptoms and Prevention and there is at least one of the following symptoms:

red rash on the body;
conjunctivitis - irritation and redness of the whites of the eyes;
stomach ache;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
red chapped lips;
swelling in the limbs - arms or legs.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome, although in some cases can lead to the failure of the heart and other internal organs, is most often successfully treated. But for recovery, it is extremely important to diagnose and begin therapy as soon as possible.

How to treat coronavirus in children

If we are talking about a mild form of COVID-19, the treatment will be the same as for any other respiratory virus. The only difference is that with confirmed COVID-19, children will have to stay in self-isolation at home for about two weeks.

Here are some Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Diagnosed or Suspected tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help make your child feel better and speed up recovery.

1. Do not feed the little patient with pills

There are no antiviral drugs for treating COVID-19 at home. Antibiotics against viruses also do not help (but they have side effects, often dangerous).

2. Knock down the temperature competently

With fever up to 38, 5–39 ° C, antipyretics are not needed. Temperature helps the body fight infection.

The only exception is if the child complains of pain or feeling unwell. In this case, you can give him a remedy based on paracetamol or ibuprofen, even if the temperature is relatively low.

3. Make sure your child drinks more

Offer him cool liquids - water, compote, juice, tea - in unlimited quantities. The body needs moisture to sweat and remove excess heat.

In addition, it loosens phlegm in the lungs and helps to cough up.

4. Give honey to relieve cough

Half to whole teaspoon as needed. Honey makes the discharge thinner and helps ease coughs.

Attention: this recommendation only applies to children over 1 year old. Honey is contraindicated for babies. They should be offered warm clear liquids (such as natural lemonade) to loosen mucus and relax their airways. Dosage: 1-3 teaspoons (5-15 ml) four times a day.

5. Ease sore throat

If the child is 1-6 years old, give him a warm liquid such as chicken broth or warmed apple juice. Some children get better on cold foods like popsicles or ice cream.

Above 6 years of age, pain can be soothed by sucking on hard candy. Offer a child over 8 years old to gargle with warm water and a little table salt.

6. Help Deal With Muscle Pain

You can gently massage the painful area with your fingers or stretch it slightly. Warm compresses also help: apply a heating pad or a sponge moistened with warm water to the sore spot for 10 minutes three times a day.

If the muscles ache all over the body and the discomfort is severe, give the child a pain reliever based on paracetamol (no more than once every 4 hours) or ibuprofen (no more than once every 6 hours).