The coronavirus has tiptoed over the child population. According to the latest report from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE), only 10 percent of those infected by COVID-19 in Spain (between May 10 and August 15) were under 15 years of age . This study also maintains that of the 9,400 children infected during this period, 141 were hospitalized, 10 had to be admitted to the ICU and 2 died as a result of the virus.
Furthermore, the world's largest study of hospital patients with COVID-19 conducted by British researchers and published by the prestigious British Medical Journal, concludes that children and adolescents are much less likely than adults to develop the serious disease or die . This work confirms that the coronavirus is mild in most cases and that less than 1% get to enter.
Symptoms of coronavirus in children
The data is reassuring enough, but don't let your guard down. As Dr. Gema Tesorero Carcedo , pediatrician at Hospital Sanitas de la Moraleja points out, “ few children have been infected , but it is still very uncertain. Many can be asymptomatic and precautions should be taken to avoid the spread of the disease. The symptoms are very similar to those of adults.
Most common coronavirus symptoms according to WHO
- Fatigue
Other symptoms
- Diarrhea
The precautions to which the health professional refers go through the prevention and early detection of the coronavirus . If we observe any symptoms or signs that the little ones in the house could be experiencing the disease, we can inform your reference health center and take the appropriate measures to avoid new infections.
"If the parents notice that the child has a fever or has any of these symptoms, they should call their Health Center ", recommends the doctor. “In any case, you can rest assured, since severe coronavirus is very rare in children. Exceptionally, the Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome occurs , but there have been few cases; it is not frequent ”, he adds.
What precautions should we take with the children in the house?
The Treasurer emphasizes hygiene and distancing measures. These are her recommendations for the little ones to stay away from the disease:
- Teach them to use the mask well. “It is essential that they wear the mask, but it is even more so that they put it on and take it off well. The best mask for them? The model does not matter as long as it is approved. The important thing is that they feel comfortable with it and that it covers their faces well ”.
- Promote good hand hygiene. “Hand cleaning is basic. They should get used to washing them well with soap and water or, if not, with hydroalcoholic gel ”.
- Advance bath time. “When we get home from school, we should take off their clothes, put them in the wash and give them a bath. This small change in habits can prevent infections ”.
- Distancing from grandparents. “The great challenge for this course is to assume that conciliation no longer passes through grandparents. We must look for other alternatives if we do not want to put them in danger. While waiting for everything to normalize, we must see them promptly, always with a mask and, if possible, in open spaces ".
