What To Do If Your Child Is Sick With Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

COVID-19 is a deadly infection; however, it's the adults who are most affected by it. Numerous reports and case studies indicate that children only develop mild symptoms of this infection and generally do not require any medical assistance. However, newborns and toddlers may be at high risk, but data is insufficient; therefore, the experts are not sure.

However, in a small percentage of cases, the infection could prove fatal, and children develop severe complications like inflamed blood vessels and fluid collecting in the lungs. 

For the majority of children, the risks appear to be minuscule. Moreover, by following basic hygiene practices, like frequent hand washing, wearing the mask in public, and respecting COVID norms, you can easily protect yourself and your children from COVID-19 infection.

Even if your child gets infected and is sick, don't panic! Instead, reassure your child that it is just a minor infection and will get better within days.

COVID Symptoms In Kids: Are They Different For Adults?

COVID is a form of flu; therefore, both kids and adults have similar flu-like symptoms. However, there is a clear consensus among experts that kids are less prone to develop serious COVID symptoms. 

Therefore even if your child contracts a COVID infection, the symptoms will be very mild. For instance, in the US, more than 90% of kids who get COVID only have mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, runny or stuffy nose, and cough.

Severe Complications of COVID-19 in Children

While most COVID cases in children are mild and resolve within days, there have been reports of kids and teens developing pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PMIS) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). 

The symptoms range from fever, rashes, belly pain to frequent vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Further, the signs bear a resemblance to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome.

What to Do If You Are Afraid About Your Child Having a Coronavirus infection?

Most kids and children only develop mild symptoms, so don't panic. Instead, isolate your child immediately from the rest of the family. Next, carefully note down the symptoms your child is showing. In this way, you can explain them to your child's health care provider more precisely.

• Do not administer any drug on your own. Make your child rest, take plenty of fluid and eat healthy food.
• Get in contact with your pediatrician. The pediatrician will ask you some questions to assess his condition.
• You must provide as many details as possible for the pediatrician to assess the situation correctly.
• Follow all the instructions provided by your child's health care provider and give him medicine as prescribed.

Ensure your safety, too, while taking care of your child. Wear a mask every time you go close to your child. Repeatedly sanitize hands and frequently touched surfaces.

Taking Care of the Sick Child and Family

Isolate the Child from Others

Know that if your child is a known or suspected case of coronavirus, even if he has mild symptoms, he can pass the virus to others in the family. You must therefore keep him at a distance as much as possible from the rest of the family. Make him wear a mask and wear it yourself when you take care of him.

Disinfect the House Frequently

Pay particular attention to household hygiene to prevent the virus from being transmitted to other people through contact with infected objects. Disinfect the house as frequently as you can to avoid contamination of the household objects. You should particularly disinfect the often touched surface like doorknobs, mobiles, clothes, and bedsheets.

Discontinue Sharing of Any Personal Items

COVID 19 is a highly infectious disease. COVID virus could live on the surface for an extended period. Therefore you mustn't share any personal items with your child. This could include household items such as water bottles, towels, bedsheets, etc.

Keep a Close Eye on the Symptoms

While kids only have mild symptoms of COVID-19 and are generally less prone to develop serious complications, you should still keep track of your child's symptoms. If you notice the slightest worsening of the symptoms, like troubled breathing, confusion, or chest pain, report it immediately to your child's healthcare provider.

Continue Isolation Even if Symptoms Appear to Resolve

Do not let your child around other people even if symptoms seem to resolve unless your pediatrician tells you otherwise. It would be best to continue your child's isolation until a week after the symptoms have entirely resolved.

How to tell if the symptoms are getting worse and if the child needs to be hospitalized?

Call the pediatrician immediately:

• If your child has difficulty breathing or breathes very frequently.
• If your child vomits repeatedly
• If your child has a high fever.
• If your child's condition doesn't improve even after administering the assigned medications.

Moreover, If your child is a newborn, be extra vigilant. If it shows any symptoms, even mild, do not take them lightly and get in touch with emergency care services immediately.

Bottom Line

If your child shows any signs of COVID Infection, do the following:

• The first thing is to stay calm; panic won't do any good to you or your child.
• Next, contact your pediatrician by phone. For safety concerns, do not go directly to the doctor's office or hospital. Instead, tell your pediatrician the symptoms your child is experiencing on call.
• Follow the care instructions given by your pediatrician and do not administer any other drugs on your own.
• Follow all the procedures indicated by the pediatrician. Moreover, it's also important to abide by the government directives for COVID 19. It's imperative for your child's and your family's safety.
• Pay particular attention to household hygiene and avoid direct contact of your child with other family members to restrict the spread of infection.
• Pay very close attention to your child's symptoms. If you notice that the symptoms are worsening, contact your pediatrician immediately.

Don't Forget About Health Insurance

We have all heard that health is wealth. This especially stands true in the case of a lethal disease like COVID. However, taking care of health can be a costly affair these days. Even a single day spent in the hospital can entail hefty charges, including post-treatment appointments, medicines, etc. 

Consequently, in this ongoing pandemic situation, where Coronavirus is not looking to go away soon, having COVID-19 insurance by Plum can prove to be highly beneficial. This is because Plum's specially designed coronavirus health insurance plan covers you against the hefty expenses associated with the treatment of this deadly disease. Say hello to Plum!