Nurture
Philippine Pediatric Society’s Guide on COVID-19 Infection in Children: Key Points Every Mama Should Know
The Philippine Pediatric Society recently released “A Parent’s Guide on COVID-19 Infection in Children: How to Prevent Covid-19 Infections and What to Do If Your Child Gets Infected” and there are many important points in this document that could help mamas prevent their little ones from contracting the virus and dealing with the disease should their child get infected with it. Here are some key points from the publication:
PREVENTION
1. We need to reinforce in our children the habits of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue paper or their upper arm or elbow when they cough or sneeze as well as frequent and proper hand washing using soap and water or 70% alcohol.
2. Disinfect high-touch surfaces—doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches, and countertops—at least once a day. And choose disinfectants appropriately as some may damage surfaces and may be toxic to you and your family.
3. The use of UV sterilizers is only recommended in healthcare facilities and not in homes. The use of portable UV sterilizers is currently not supported by evidence.
4. Good ventilation is effective in removing viral particles. So open your doors and windows as much as possible. And fans should not be directed towards people. Instead, it should be directed to an open window to improve ventilation.
5. Children younger than 2 years old should NOT wear a mask due to the risk of suffocation.
6. Disposable surgical masks should be thrown away after wearing it once, while reusable masks should be washed using regular laundry detergent or soap at least once a day or changed if visibly soiled.
7. Food deliveries are okay as there is no current evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through food, food packaging, or deliveries. No need to disinfect food packages as they are made of porous materials which could absorb disinfectants.
8. Parents and guardians are highly discouraged to bring young children to public enclosed or crowded places as they are not yet eligible for a vaccine. If going out is unavoidable, open spaces are recommended as long as children practice basic safety and health protocols.
9. As play is an integral part of a child’s life, encourage playing indoors if possible. If playing outdoors, it is not advisable to invite the neighborhood kids over to play.
CLINICAL SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
1. Symptoms of COVID-19 in the pediatric age group include fever, cough, colds/nasal stuffiness, decreased appetite, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, watery stools, abdominal pain, sore throat, muscle pain, loss of smell, loss of taste, headache, rashes, and seizure. But, the three most common symptoms are fever, cough and colds.
2. When to test? If your child has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, especially if he/she had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person, testing should be done right away regardless of vaccination status. If your child is asymptomatic and had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person, the best time to test is 5 to 7 days after the last exposure.
3. Exposed children should be quarantined for 14 days if the test result is negative. If the RT-PCR is positive and your child remains asymptomatic, isolation should also be for 14 days but the first day of isolation is the day the test was taken. If symptoms develop, they should be isolated and tested immediately.
HOME CARE FOR CHILDREN
1. Home care may be recommended in the following situations:
- If your child is diagnosed with mild COVID 19 infection with any of the following symptoms: fever of less than or equal to 38°C, cough, colds, diarrhea, sore throat, headache, loss of smell or taste, or decrease in appetite.
- If your child was tested for COVID-19 due to exposure to a confirmed or probable COVID-19 patient and is waiting for the results
- If your child has flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, and sore throat, and no test has been done yet.
2. What to do during home care
- Monitor temperature every 4 hours, oxygen level every 6 hours using a pulse oximeter (if not available, monitor for changes in the breathing pattern of the patient), and frequency, volume, and color of your child's urine/urination.
- Encourage your child to rest and to stay hydrated.
- Use fever-reducing medications if your child has a fever.
- Give age-appropriate healthy foods, and offer soft, varied foods that are easy to chew and swallow.
- Continue breastfeeding.
3. When to bring your child to the emergency room
- If he/she appears dehydrated; the signs include dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, crying with few or no tears, peeing less often or has fewer wet diaper
- If he/she is unable to drink or talk
- If he/she is confused or drowsy
- If he/she has trouble breathing, is breathing fast, or looks pale or blue around the lips
- If his/her oxygen levels is less than 95% if using a pulse oximeter
BREASTFEEDING
1. COVID-positive mothers can still initiate or continue breastfeeding as the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
2. Wash hands before breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.
3. Always wear a mask, whether you are directly breastfeeding or pumping breast milk.
