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Although it is less frequent than in adults, children can also get infection with the new coronavirus, COVID-19. However, the symptoms appear to be less severe, as the most serious conditions of the infection tend to cause only a high fever and a constant cough.
Even though it does not appear to be a risk group for COVID-19, children should always be evaluated by pediatricians and follow the same care as adults, frequently washing their hands and maintaining social distance, as they can facilitate the transmission of the virus to those most at risk, such as their parents or grandparents.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 in children are milder than those in adults and include:
- Fever above 38ºC;
- Persistent cough;
- Coryza;
- Sore throat;
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Excessive tiredness;
- Decreased appetite.
The symptoms are similar to those of any other virus and, therefore, can also be accompanied by some gastrointestinal changes, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting, for example.
Unlike adults, shortness of breath does not seem to be common in children and, in addition, it is possible that many children may be infected and have no symptoms.
According to a CDC publication at the end of May [2], some children with multisystemic inflammatory syndrome have been identified, in which various organs of the body, such as the heart, lungs, skin, brain and eyes become inflamed and generate symptoms such as high fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, appearance of red spots on the skin and excessive tiredness. Thus, in case of suspected infection with the new coronavirus, it is always recommended to go to the hospital or consult a pediatrician.
Skin changes may be more common in children
Although COVID-19 appears to be milder in children, especially with regard to respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, some medical reports, such as the report released by American Academy of Pediatrics [1], seem to indicate that children may experience other symptoms than those of adults, who end up going unnoticed.
It is possible that COVID-19 in children most often causes symptoms such as persistent high fever, redness of the skin, swelling, and dry or chapped lips, similar to Kawasaki disease. These symptoms seem to indicate that in the child, the new coronavirus causes an inflammation of the blood vessels instead of directly affecting the lung. However, further investigation is needed.
When to take the child to the doctor
Although the infantile variant of the new coronavirus appears to be less severe, it is very important that all children with symptoms are evaluated to relieve the discomfort of the infection and to identify its cause.
It is recommended that all children with:
- Less than 3 months of age and with fever above 38ºC;
- Age between 3 and 6 months with fever above 39ºC;
- Fever that lasts for more than 5 days;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Blue-colored lips and face;
- Strong pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
- Marked loss of appetite;
- Alteration of normal behavior;
- Fever that does not improve with the use of medicines indicated by the pediatrician.
In addition, when they are sick, children are more likely to dehydrate due to water loss through sweat or diarrhea, so it is important to see a doctor if there are symptoms of dehydration such as sunken eyes, decreased amount of urine, mouth dryness, irritability and crying without tears. See other signs that may indicate dehydration in children.
How the treatment is done
So far there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and, therefore, the treatment includes the use of drugs to relieve symptoms and prevent the worsening of the infection, such as paracetamol to reduce fever, anti-allergies to treat cough and coryza, and some antibiotics, if there is a risk of lung infection.
In most cases, treatment can be done at home, keeping the child at rest, good hydration and administering the medications recommended by the doctor in the form of syrups. However, there are also situations in which hospitalization may be recommended, especially if the child has more serious symptoms, such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, or if he has a history of other illnesses that facilitate the worsening of the infection, such as diabetes or asthma.
How to protect against COVID-19
Children should follow the same care as adults in preventing COVID-19, which includes:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after being in public places;
- Keep the distance from other people, especially the elderly;
- Wear an individual protection mask if you are coughing or sneezing;
- Avoid touching your hands with your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes.
These precautions must be included in the child's daily life because, in addition to protecting the child against the virus, they also help to reduce its transmission, preventing it from reaching people at higher risk, such as the elderly, for example.
Check out other general tips to protect yourself from COVID-19, even indoors.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- WHO. Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19). Available in: . Accessed on 07 May 2020
- CDC. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information for Pediatric Healthcare Providers. Available in: . Accessed on 07 May 2020
- NHS. Coronavirus in children. Available in: . Accessed on 07 May 2020
- JONES, Veena G .; MILLS, Marcos et al. COVID-19 and Kawasaki Disease: Novel Virus and Novel Case. Pediatrics Hospital. 2020
- CDC. For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19. Available in: . Accessed on 01 Jun 2020