Covid Symptoms in Kids, Everything We Should Know

The virus known as SARS-cov-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is the source of Covid-19. This virus is referred to as coronavirus. It can spread swiftly and is highly contagious. Since COVID-19 symptoms in kids tend to be low, identifying it in them might be challenging. They might not even exhibit any symptoms. If a child displays any symptoms of COVID-19, particularly if they have been exposed, it is an excellent decision to conduct a test. This article explains the most typical signs of COVID-19 in kids and what to do if you think your kid may have it.

Causes

COVID-19 in children is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a member of the coronavirus family responsible for respiratory infections. The virus invades the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes and begins to spread. Children can contract COVID-19 through exposure to respiratory droplets from an infected person. This can happen if an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks, sings, or breathes close to them. The coronavirus can also spread when children touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their faces.

While COVID-19 can affect children of all ages, infants under one year are at a higher risk of severe illness. This is partly because premature babies have a weaker immune system. In most cases, infants contract the virus from sick caregivers after birth rather than from their mothers during pregnancy. However, pregnant individuals can reduce the risk by getting vaccinated, as some immunity may be passed to the baby before birth.

Symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms in kids can range from mild to moderate. Some of them are listed below.

• Fever – The first symptom of COVID-19 in kids is to check for fever or chills that last for a long duration.
• Cough, runny nose, and sore throat.
• Digestive Issues – The child might experience vomiting, nausea, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
• Body Pain – Children with COVID-19 might experience muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, and headaches.
• Loss of smell and taste.
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing.
• Dry cough.
• Lethargy.
• Sunken or swollen eyes.
• Loss of Appetite – A kid who is infected with COVID-19 loses his ability to taste and smell, which leads to poor feeding. habits and eventually appetite.

Lesser-Known Symptoms of COVID-19 in Kids

Even though children often react to COVID-19 less severely than adults, one major concern that COVID-19 poses to children is the possibility of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). There is still more to learn about the connection between MIS-C and COVID-19.

However, it is known that many kids with MIS-C had either a prior coronavirus infection or were exposed to someone who had COVID-19 since the novel coronavirus first appeared. Other organ systems, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and brain, can be impacted by MIS-C. MIS-C can be fatal if treatment is not received. It is generally easily treatable. A few of the symptoms associated with MIS-C to look out for are:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Skin Rash
• Pain in the Abdomen
• Bloodshot Eyes
• Distressed Breathing
• Low oxygen saturation

Prevention

It takes around 5-14 days for symptoms to appear once a kid is exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The best ways to reduce your child’s chance of developing severe COVID-19 are through frequent preventive measures. This implies that if your child is old enough to get any of the COVID-19 vaccinations, it is advised that they get immunized with the suggested schedule and obtain booster shots as needed.

It’s crucial to remember that COVID-19 vaccinations guard against serious infections that could cause hospitalization, severe sickness, or even death. They do not, however, always guard against getting the virus itself. Apart from implementing the initial preventive strategy of isolating your child in case of illness to prevent the spread of the virus within the family, additional preventive measures might diminish the chance of a child coming into contact with it. The measures are:

• Wearing masks and maintaining a distance of 2m.
• Public gatherings, shop visits, and outings should be strictly avoided.
• Disinfecting floors, doorknobs, tables, and other surfaces that come in contact with people’s hands.
• Wash your hands with medicated soap for 20 seconds.
• Use sanitizer before consuming food.
• The kid should practice breathing exercises to keep the lungs strong.
• Call a doctor before giving any medicines to the kid.

Treatment

There is no proper cure for treating the symptoms of COVID-19 in kids. However, most children recover with adequate home treatment. Some of the steps that can be followed at home are mentioned below:

• The affected child should be given proper bed rest.
• The oxygen levels should be continuously monitored to ensure that the condition is not getting worse.
• Plenty of fluids should be provided at regular intervals to prevent dehydration.
• If possible, have them isolated.
• Practice extreme hygiene measures.
• Serve them foods that are easy on the stomach.
• Always wear a mask when attending to the child to stop the further spread of the virus.
• If the situation worsens, always get medical help.

When to Seek a Doctor’s Help?

If a child exhibits any of the following symptoms, they should be examined by a medical     professional:

• Breathlessness
• Severe vomiting
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• A massive drop in oxygen level
• Alteration in skin, lip, or nail color

These signs and symptoms may appear as soon as the infection starts or up to a week later. Therefore, parents have to be more vigilant once they notice COVID-19 symptoms in their kids.

The doctor will provide proper medical help according to the COVID-19 protocol. When symptoms are moderate to severe, doctors will administer supportive care, such as oxygen and IV fluids.

While most kids recover from COVID-19 without significant difficulties, it can nevertheless pose a risk to them. To protect their child, parents and other caregivers who are worried about the virus should stay at home and take additional safety measures. If your kid gets ill, it’s crucial to keep an eye on their symptoms and make a phone or video appointment with a pediatrician instead of panicking.

Frequently Asked Questions