Coronavirus third wave in kids: what parents should know?
While the second wave of COVID-19 is decreasing in India, the question is what happens in the third wave.
Are children at higher risk during the third wave being discussed these days?
In general, COVID-19 is a mild illness in children due to a variety of biological factors. As a result, children as a proportion of those infected may make up a greater proportion [in the third wave]but overall, the illness should not be very serious, unless we have a radically different variant involved.
Children who are infected with COVID-19 have a serious illness called MIS-C. What’s that supposed to mean?
Children have been identified as having a serious illness related to COVID-19. This includes pneumonia as well as MIS-C. However, pneumonia caused by COVID-19 among children is unusual compared to adults.
In certain cases, after 2-6 weeks of asymptomatic or symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) can be observed due to immune dysfunction; while some of these situations can also be serious. This is a treatable illness with a good result if diagnosed early. Additionally, most children with C-GIS cannot pass the infection on to others.
The signs and symptoms of MSS in children ( MIS-C ) include the following, although not all children have the same symptoms.
- Fever that lasts 24 hours or longer.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the stomach.
- Skin rash.
- Feeling unusually tired.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Rapid breathing.
Certain tests are done by doctors to look for inflammation or other signs of disease. These tests might include:
- Blood tests
- Chest x-ray
- Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram)
- Abdominal ultrasound
Doctors provide supportive care for symptoms (medications and/or fluids to relieve your child) and can use different medications to treat inflammation. Most kids who become ill with MIS-C will be treated within the hospital. Some will require treatment within the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
How to protect your child from COVID-19?
Based on the information we now have on MIS-C. The best way to protect your child is to take daily precautions to keep your child and the whole household from contracting the virus that causes COVID-19.
For reference: https://iapindia.org/pdf/Covid-19-Management-guideline-22062021.pdf
