3 things not to do when caring for a child with Covid-19

The younger the child, the weaker the resistance, the immune system is not fully developed. Especially between the ages of 6 months and 3 years - the so-called "immune gap" period in children.

In recent days, parents are very worried when the problem of children going back to school also increases the risk of Covid-19 infection. Proper care of children at home or at school is a concern for many parents.

The younger the child, the weaker the resistance, the immune system is not fully developed. Especially between the ages of 6 months and 3 years - the so-called "immune gap" period in children. Therefore, if there is an invasion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it will be even more dangerous for the child's body.

1. Epidemic situation and risks of young children

In 2 days, February 17^th-18^th, 2022, 42,439 new infections were recorded, and there is no sign of cooling down. For children, from the beginning of the epidemic season up to now, the incidence rate of children under 18 years old is 19.2%, with more focus on those aged 6-12 and 13-17 years old. Moreover, through follow-up, the children also had prolonged clinical manifestations, including post-COVID-19 status.

With the Omicron variant, infection is more common in unvaccinated children.

Therefore, ensuring the safety of children for disease prevention and control is an important task, especially those between the ages of 5 and under 12 who have not been vaccinated. Recently, Hanoi City also temporarily suspended the plan for students in grades 1 to 6 from 12 districts to return to school from February 21^st as previously planned.

2. Symptoms of children with Covid-19

When children have COVID-19, common signs are fever and cough. Less common are runny nose, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite… However, many children get sick without showing any symptoms. Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health Phan Trong Lan said that the fact that children aged 5-12 with COVID-19 also have fewer symptoms and milder symptoms than adult patients.

3. Taking care of children with Covid-19

When caring for and treating children at home with COVID-19 should be noted:

* Things to do:

- Children should be given adequate nutrition, hygiene, bathing, and not abstaining from water.

- Closely monitor temperature, measure SpO2 index at least 2 times/day.

- Give the child fever-reducing medicine if the child has a fever. Can use Paracetamol (Hapacol, Efferalgan, Doliprane, Tylenol...) at a dose of 10 -15mg/kg body weight/time, twice at least 4 hours apart.

- Clean the nose if the child has a lot of runny nose or thick nasal discharge. If the runny nose is small and the child is not uncomfortable, just wiping with a clean soft cloth is enough.

- If the child coughs, cough medicine can be given, but need to consult doctors.

- If at any time the child has the following symptoms, it is necessary to notify the ward or contact 115 to take the child to the hospital:

• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath, bulging nostrils, chest indrawing
• Lethargy

• Leaden

• Quit feeding/eating
• Cyanosis of lips, fingertips, feet
• SpO2 < 95%

* Things not to do:

- Do not arbitrarily use 2 types of cough medicine at the same time or new cough medicines with anti-allergic and cough-reducing ingredients.

- Do not abuse vitamins including vitamin C or multivitamins. Children's resistance cannot be increased immediately with just a few vitamins.

- Do not let children smoke leaves, essential oils ... because there is no therapeutic effect and can increase the child's discomfort and risk causing the child to burn.

4. Children's epidemic prevention

- Limit contact

- Keep clean: mask, wash hands

- Follow a proper diet

- Prepare some essential medicine

1. Antipyretics

There are two main types, paracetamol and ibuprofen. In children, it is advisable to choose the appropriate form of use such as: Packet of powder for oral solution, syrup, oral tablet, rectal tablet ...) and choose the appropriate amount to use for children.

Note, these are 2 main drugs, whatever the brand name, the effect is similar. Therefore, at any drugstore near your home, buy it, as long as it is suitable and easy to use with children. It is not necessary to spend millions to buy brand name drugs.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics also have many products commonly used to prevent diarrhea in babies.

3. Expectorant

Usually used for children with phlegm cough. Should be kept in the medicine cabinet for backup.

4. Physiological saline eye drops, NaCl 0.9%

This is a common nasal hygiene product, helping to wash away pathogens and keep the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes moist.

Should choose high-grade sterile physiological saline products for eye drops for children.

5. Mouthwash Liquid

Many experts have recommended that regular rinsing of the mouth and throat with antiseptic solutions (oropharyngeal antiseptics) is a good measure to support the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 for both adults and children.

Choose the right type for young children so that they can easily rinse their mouth and deep in their throat, avoid being pungent and difficult to use.

6. Rehydration, electrolytes

Oresol, powdered hydrite or pre-mixed vial are the two most common types of electrolyte rehydration products available today. The drug is used for children when diarrhea or high fever continuously lasts leading to dehydration, loss of electrolytes.

Note: Do not buy sports electrolyte drinks to use, even for adults when dehydrated.

7. Supplement nutrients, strengthen resistance

Some children, due to poor eating or a diet lacking in nutrients, will affect the child's physical strength and resistance.

If the child is a picky eater or his body is weak, remember to supplement the child with nutritious, easily absorbed and suitable products for his or her physical condition to improve the body's resistance and immune system (such as thymomodulin, vitamins, amino acids, etc.) hydrolysis, …).

(Synthesis: Quang Anh)

Information sources:

https://suckhoedoisong.vn/192-benh-nhan-covid-19-o-nuoc-ta-la-tre-em-ty-le-tu-vong-thap-nhung-khong-the-chu-quan-169220216145239044.htm

https://covid19.gov.vn

https://moh.gov.vn/hoat-dong-cua-lanh-dao-bo/-/asset_publisher/TW6LTp1ZtwaN/content/bo-y-te-tap-huan-huong-dan-xu-tri-cham-soc-va-ieu-tri-cho-tre-em-mac-covid-19

https://tuoitre.vn/tre-em-f0-cung-co-the-gap-bien-chung-hau-covid-19-2022020820263291.htm

https://suckhoedoisong.vn/tu-thuoc-cho-tre-nen-co-trong-nha-giua-mua-dich-16921081311530821.htm

https://syt.binhdinh.gov.vn/index.php/vi/news/y-te-du-phong/cham-soc-tre-em-o-nha-dung-cach-de-phong-chong-dich-covid-19-859.html

https://moh.gov.vn/tin-lien-quan/-/asset_publisher/vjYyM7O9aWnX/content/bac-si-nhi-khoa-luu-y-khi-cham-soc-tre-mac-covid-19-tai-nha

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