The following article will give you an insight into how to care for kids when they get affected by the Covid-19 virus.
No matter how prepared we are to face this pandemic, our minds blank out when our kids get infected with it. In this panicky situation, parents need to be very mindful. Being cognizant about a few things can lower the child and family's stress level. One positive aspect that is a relief for the covid-positive kids is that they get masked from the complications that most adults face during infection.
This could be owing to low to nil comorbid conditions, a healthy vascular system, a lower number of Ace receptors in the upper respiratory tracts where the SARS-CoV2 virus binds, a highly reactive immune system, and pre-exposure to other coronaviruses, and cross variant nonspecific immunity. Most kids tend to remain asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic the majority of the time. Some of the common symptoms seen are as follows
• Fever
• Nasal discharge
• Dry Cough
• Loose motions
• Tiredness
• Rash on the skin
• Difficulty in breathing or fast breathing
Parents' primary concern is how to care for the child when the child is tested positive. Although it is a tedious job, one can use simple hacks to make things work better.
• The child should always be accompanied by a caretaker, preferably the parents, at all times and should not be isolated alone.
• Use reverse isolation technique, that is, to isolate the elderly in a room rather than the child. This can prevent the emotional and psychological stressing of the child.
• Monitor temperature every 4 hours: It is recommended to use a digital thermometer rather than the mercury thermometer. Check the temperature by placing the thermometer in the armpits of the child. Avoid anal methods to avoid chances of injury to the anal lining.
• Monitor oxygen level by using the pediatric pulse oximeter. If u do not have one, check if the child's oxygen levels are okay by keeping a look at symptoms like fast breathing, color change to blush at the tips of the fingers and lips, nasal flaring and chest retractions while breathing, the low activity level of a child that can point out to low oxygen levels.
• Monitor the breathing of the child. If you feel the child is in distress, rush to the hospital immediately. Try to record the breathing of the child on your mobile phone to consult with your pediatrician.
• Give steam inhalation at least thrice a day. For more minor children, the child can sleep and place the kid on the parent's lap. Keep the steamer down on the floor and cover the parent, child, and steamer with a floor-length blanket on all sides. This is an easy, hassle-free technique to steam inhalation.
• If the child is breastfeeding, it should be continued. If the mother is negative, she should use an N95 mask when caring for the child.
• If the child is older, saltwater gargles to be given.
• For nasal congestion, use saline nasal drops at least four times a day.
• Give warm fluids and hydrate well.
• Give nutritious protein-rich foods like ragi, eggs, chicken soup, dal, etc. To boost immunity,
provide Vitamin C supplementing foods like mangoes, pineapple, carrots, papaya,
oranges, lemons, etc. Zinc-rich foods like yogurt, chickpeas, almonds, lentils, sweet potato, and dark chocolate that kids love to eat can be given in moderation.
• It's always a challenge to get the smaller kids to do the deep breathing exercises. This can be the most fun part of caring since one needs not to stick to traditional
pranayama. You can pretend play birthday by blowing out candles. Increase the
difficulty by adding another candle to blow out in one breath. Take thorough precautions to
prevent any burn injuries. Kids can also enjoy blowing bubbles out of a bubble blower. Blowing balloons is another option that one can use. Another easy technique is to make a thin tissue paper fly by blowing on it and not making it touch the ground.
• Keep a watch on your child for a rare complication of covid-19, MIS-C syndrome( Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children). It's a severe disorder involving organs like the heart, kidney, lungs, brain, skin, eyes. If symptoms like high fever, severe stomach pain, swelling in hands and feet, rapid heartbeat and fast breathing, redness of eyes, swelling of lips and tongue, drowsiness, and inactivity persists, rush to the nearest emergency medical facility. Early detection and treatment can save the child's life.
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About the Author : Sukanya Kadam is a health care professional with the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa, India. She also loves to cook and loves poetry.
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