Here are the symptoms of Covid-19 in children, according to a pediatrician

It is not surprising that the number of cases in children was low at the beginning of the pandemic, as most children were evacuated at home until recently.

“If there was a terrible outbreak at school, and if people got sick-children, teachers, teachers, those who got sick, someone died-because it was clearly beyond physical sacrifice, We need to be careful about this. Psychological damage, and even damage to the community.” “Which one really bothers me”

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of Covid-19 Children are the same as adults.

“Looking at a long list of potential symptoms-congestion, cough, fever, loss of smell-they can all occur in both adults and children,” O’Leary said.

“If you really can’t get up, are always falling asleep and tired, aren’t drinking, aren’t eating, or are activities of everyday life, it’s very important to tell your doctor right away.” Cohen Said.

Don’t hesitate to call the doctor

According to experts, there are too few concerns to contact a pediatrician. Parents are the best detectives because they know how their children usually behave.

“It may be something you can’t communicate with, but something is bothering you,” Cohen said. “I always tell my parents.’If you’re nervous, you should do so. That’s the way it is now.” The only call that is the wrong call is unfinished. “

Oleary agreed. Parents say, “If you see your child ill or ill more than you expect with a typical cold or illness, they should consult with your pediatrician for help. Serious things are always a concern.”

Pandemics are influencing medical practice. For example, take a fever and take a look at the common signs of a child’s illness that may have been on the “watch over” list in pre-Covid days.

“Today with a hot child, I’m talking to those parents on a daily basis because of the ambiguity and the fear we all have,” Cohen said. “I don’t want to miss that one child.”

It’s not just Covid 19’s diagnosis, he said. “It monitors the progression of the disease. Is this child getting sick sooner than you want to see? And when you want to take care of them,” Cohen added. ..

That guidance also applies to the mental and psychological health of children, O’Leary said.

“Children are more isolated and children are more anxious and depressed,” O’Leary said. “These are things that need attention, even if they are not directly related to Covid.”

Do you know if your child is ill?

The asymptomatic nature of many young children is a particularly terrifying reality for parents. That is, there are no signs or symptoms that the child is carrying the virus. In addition, there are some very calm cases with few problems.

If Covid-19’s child survives the virus well, it should be reassuring to the child’s safety, as the pediatrician will only support and guide his parents during the illness.

Concerns move to protecting others, including siblings, parents, grandparents, and the community.

“Children can be sparks and we don’t want the fire to spread,” Cohen added. “The best way to get rid of a fire is to get rid of fuel, so we separate everyone.”

The only way parents can suspect an asymptomatic illness is to track your child’s exposure to others with Covid-19 and recognize what’s happening in the school your child attends That is.

“Knowing their habits, knowing who they were and their exposure was key,” Cohen said. “Unmasked children in Georgia and unmasked children in New York are different at this time due to the increasing number of cases in Georgia.”

Whether asymptomatic children should be screened for coronavirus infections depends on “how often they are exposed to others” and their ability to test in the community, O’Leary said. It was

“The most important thing to bring children back to school is to put the virus under control of the surrounding community,” he said.

O’Leary added that mitigation measures (wearing masks, clean hands, and physical distance) to help reduce the transmission of the virus are paramount.

Rare but severe illnesses associated with Covid-19

Another concern for parents is the multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) in children. This is a rare, rare symptom that develops days to weeks after a child is exposed to Covid-19.

“It’s similar to what’s called Kawasaki disease, which is also an inflammatory syndrome in the body, and it can be very devastating for children,” Gupta said.

“Thankfully, it’s rare, but it does happen,” Gupta added. “It looks like it’s more common than in the US, the UK, and other parts of the world, but I’m still not sure why. But this is something doctors, pediatricians, parents, and everyone are continuing to some extent. Keep an eye on that.”

As of August 6, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Management identified 570 MIS-C cases across 40 states and the District of Columbia, including 10 dead. The average age of these cases is 8 years and 70% of cases occur in Latin American or non-Hispanic black children.

Dr Kevin Friedman, a pediatric cardiologist at the Boston Children’s Hospital, Aspects of the immune system that predispose certain groups to MIS-C, the impact of color on the community, higher rates of multifamily living conditions, parents working as indispensable workers outside the home, And may also be associated with higher rates of existing health.

Clues to this rare syndrome

Other notable signs include abdominal pain, diarrhea, swollen glands, red or swollen limbs, cracked lips, and pink or red eyes called conjunctivitis. Rapid breathing and other respiratory symptoms may also be seen, but are less common.

In addition to common fever symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms are most common in children with MIS-C, with 80% to 90% of patients experiencing this, in addition to general fever symptoms.

According to the AAP, children with MIS-C can quickly become ill and show immediate signs of shock. When examined, they show symptoms of multiple organ failure and high inflammatory blood levels of inflammation.

According to the CDC, most children with MIS-C need to go to a hospital and some children need care in a pediatric intensive care unit.

But experts like Friedman believe there is a mild form of MIS-C that doesn’t show up much in public health reports. “We’re probably just experiencing the tip of the iceberg with this disease,” he said. “Several minor cases have also occurred.”

He added that MIS-C can be prevented in the same way that it generally prevents the spread of coronaviruses. That means making sure you and your family wash their hands regularly, adhering to universal mask adherence, and practicing social distance.

Another thing a child should be aware of when returning to school, the condition is still very rare.

“Everywhere you’re exposed to Covid, there’s also MIS-C. It’s inevitable to see this on school reopening,” Friedman said. Improve”.

Don’t know if your child is sick or stressed?

Some parents may be worried about the more typical parenting issues. For example, your child may be really sick, or just avoid getting up early. As we are all the rage, experts say it’s best to assume that your child isn’t fake.

“Many children have a depression and mood response to a pandemic, which can also affect energy levels and motivation,” said Dr. Jenny Radski, a developmental behavioral pediatrician who is an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan. “.

“Likewise, if a child has a tendency to have headaches or abdominal pains in response to stress, or has a sensitive stomach, use that information to avoid overreacting to new complaints,” she said. Will add.

After all, we store a lot of stress on our bodies today. When asking about symptoms, she adds that she doesn’t ask direct questions like “Do you have a sore throat? Are you feeling hungry?”

“Children will automatically respond yes and no,” said Radesky. “Instead, feel sick. Point out that. How does it feel?” ”

Finally, keep this in mind. “It’s difficult to fake heat, it’s not physical or physical,” she said. “If in doubt, contact your child’s doctor. They know how to distinguish between organic and psychosomatic reactions.”

You may send a still sick child to school

Still, no matter how careful their parents are, “it’s still possible to send asymptomatic Covid-19 children to school because so many children with Covid-19 are asymptomatic.” Said Radsky.

“We need more surveillance tests for asymptomatic students and teachers, or we might feel the false reassurance of sending uncontagious children to school,” Radski said.

A pediatric team at Stanford University School of Medicine, in a commentary published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics on Tuesday, recommended that the school follow a three-sided testing approach conducted in collaboration with a local hospital.

“Many school districts face budget constraints, so schools must evaluate options and identify actionable measures that are particularly important to the community,” the authors said.