Caring for A Sick Child During the Coronavirus Pandemic

According to the latest statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 86% of the children between the ages of 5 and 11 are in excellent or very good health in the United States. Less than 5% of children missed school days in the past 12 months due to illness or injury.

While these statistics look pretty good, it is also a fact that children are more vulnerable to environmental impacts and transmission of various illnesses and viruses. With the current viral pandemic rampaging across the globe and infecting people at an unprecedented rate, parents are more concerned than ever over what to do if their child becomes ill, especially as schools are reopening all over the country.

Identifying the Symptoms

If your child appears sick and you’re afraid they might have contracted the virus, the first step is to assess the symptoms. Reported COVID-19 symptoms in children include fever, fatigue, dry cough, and sore throat. These symptoms are for mild cases. For serious cases, the children can exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, but those are less frequent. Some children can test positive for the virus but look and act healthy, which indicates they are asymptomatic.

Treatment at Home

For mild cases of coronavirus in children, they can be treated at home by isolating them during the illness. They should be separated from other members of the family and should wear a facemask if they are old enough to protect other family members. All surfaces need to be sanitized regularly with a sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. Even their bathroom should be separate to avoid the spread of the virus. They should get plenty of rest and be kept hydrated along with any medication prescribed to them by the doctor for underlying conditions such as asthma as well as the viral infection.

Seeking Treatment

It is important to keep in mind that mild symptoms of illness are not a reason to visit an emergency room. However, if your child displays symptoms such as trouble drinking, difficulty staying awake, fast, or labored breathing, or extreme dehydration with trouble peeing, then you might want to seek further medical attention. During the pandemic, many leading healthcare providers and family physicians, such as Natomas Family Physicians, are providing telehealth solutions for safe and effective consultations.

In general, even if your child is displaying symptoms of COVID-19, it is not necessary to get them tested. There are currently no vaccines or known treatments for the novel coronavirus, so the best strategy is prevention through social distancing and personal hygiene.

For more information regarding treatment for your child or any pending immunizations, get in touch with them to discuss your child’s health with leading pediatric specialists.