For children who are under 5 years, who do not have logical thinking, we don’t recommend masks. It has been observed that children have an increased incidence of skin diseases around the area where the mask is worn. Because the masks have not been washed so they are contaminated.
For older children above 5 years, right up to the age of 18 years, who are susceptible, we should model the right behavior. They are quick to learn so we should not leave them out thinking they will not be compliant
Care of toys
Children and their toys are inseparable, they like to snuggle with their toys. Parents often ask as to how to sanitize toys. Washing the toys with plain soapy water is enough and cleaning toys at least once a day is effective enough.
Safe places to play
The focus now is shifting from surface infected and droplet infection to aerosols. Children should not be playing in closed spaces. These closed spaces can act as inhalation chambers. Parents should take them to semi-open spaces, open up windows, choose a room that is well ventilated with cross ventilation. If this is not possible, ensure maximum air circulation of fresh air.
Minimizing contact with a positive parent
Many parents, when they test positive for Covid ask whether they can sleep with the child at night. It is a very difficult issue to address. Because if the parent is positive and the child is not positive, the child needs the parent, the parents would have to put on the mask when putting the child to sleep. If possible, move out to another bedroom so that the number of hours that the child is in contact inhaling this virus would be decreased.
On steaming and multivitamins for a covid positive kid.
A lot of parents believe that steam has this magic. But now with the experience of the pandemic, we know that excessive steaming has caused scalds in the upper respiratory area. So, we do not recommend steaming. Once in a day when you bathe the child and the amount of steaming that occurs would be enough to clean up the upper airways.
Regarding vitamins, it needs to be impressed upon the parents that we cannot build our immunity overnight. Once if you get Covid today and you start vitamins, it is unlikely that you are going to build your immunity. You could be building some immunity at the time of recovery. So best is to take the vitamins when the acute phase is over and that too under the supervision of the pediatrician. Kids are often given Zinc which tastes bitter, which kids dislike and increases nausea. As it is there is loss of taste and loss of smell. So, the focus should not be on vitamins instead the focus should be on giving the antipyretics which will help to bring down the fever, or any other supportive treatment that is required. Vitamins can be given before the infection and even that should not be continued for too long because of the risk of hypervitaminosis. Healthy eating habits should be encouraged and nutrient foods should be given to the child. By popping a vitamin pill you cannot build immunity.
Also Read: Will Kids Be Safe If There Is A Third Wave Of COVID-19?
