Children are also being affected due to the rapid increase in covid infection. Due to the high rates of malnutrition in children, their immunity is also weak and they are more prone to infection. In such a situation, we need to be alert and behave sensitively with children. To protect children from infection love, interactions , sharing feelings and treatment is important, as compared to the first wave of Covid, eight to 10 percent of children are affected in the second wave. Although their infection is not serious and the recovery rate is also high, it is still necessary to take precautions.
▪️Symptoms :-
Mild symptoms are seen :
fever, cough, muscle pain, shortness of breath, sore throat, stomach problems like loss of appetite, cramps, diarrhea and vomiting etc. In this direction, necessary information related to treatment by the health department has been provided.
▪️Important things for the safety of children:
For the protection of children from infection, it is important that the parents keep patience and peace. By giving information about covid infection to the children, explain about its seriousness in such a way that they do not be afraid or stressed, inform the children about the behavior of covid. Keep in mind that children above two years of age should be asked to put on the mask properly, so that the nose is completely covered. Encourage hand washing with soap and use of sanitizer. Don’t let them go in crowded places.
▪️Take care of the child if positive:
If covid is positive, take special care of the food of the children, give freshly cooked nutritious food. Don’t let the kids go hungry. Give maximum amount of water to the children, their throat should not remain dry for a long time. Steam can be given two to three times with the help of nebulizer or vaporizer. In case of fever, a cold water bandage can be placed on their forehead. In case of fever more than 100 degrees, paracetamol tablet or syrup and zinc tablet etc. can be given on the advice of the doctor. Along with this, ‘multi-vitamin supplement and calcium’ is also necessary. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms.
▪️Keep keen eye on symptoms :-
If a family member is found to be covid positive, then it is not necessary that the children who came in contact with him have also become infected. When symptoms of covid infection are seen in the child, then the test must be done. Keep a close watch on the symptoms. If there is a cold, cough or fever in children, then the elders of the family should develop courage in themselves and the children instead of panic and fear in such situations. Do a covid-19 test and confirm whether it is a common cold or a covid infection.
▪️Encouragement to the child for maintaining health:-
Give encouragement to children to be healthy.
a) Do not be afraid, make the atmosphere of the house positive. Give encouragement to the children that they or their families will be fine.
b) Keep physical distance from children. Explain your responsibility to them with love.
c) Keep away from scary news and videos from covid. Give permission to watch entertaining programs on TV. Also motivate to play indoor games. Engage children in creative activities and work.