After the second wave of COVID-19 in India, rumours are that there is going to be a third wave, which might hit children hard. However, in contrast to this, most doctors and experts do not agree with the latter part of the previous statement, regarding children. Rather, they are advising that instead of panicking in the situation, people must take proper precautions to keep children from infection. Therefore, the ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to some of its experts to know more about it.
What Do The Doctors Say?
Recently in a press conference, the Director of AIIMS, Dr. Randeep Guleria made it clear that to date there is data on either the global or international level to claim that the third wave of COVID-19 will affect the kids more. He further said that even during the second wave, fewer children were infected by the virus as compared to adults and those infected either had a mild infection or were already suffering from a prior medical condition.
Our expert General Physician, Dr. Sanjay K. Jain, MBBS, MD (Medicine), associated with Apple Hospital, Indore, also agrees to the statement of Dr. Guleria. He explains that right from the beginning of the pandemic, everyone is aware that this virus majorly affects people who have weakened immunity. Therefore, children who are already suffering from a serious disease or medical condition are more prone to contract COVID-19 as compared to others who have a stronger immune system.
Also Read: Treating Deafness With Cochlear Implants In Kids.
Also, severe cases of COVID-19 have not been reported in healthy kids as such. If we look at the statistics of infection amongst kids, the number of infected children rose in the second wave as compared to the first one. But, in most cases the infection was mild. Moreover, the after-effects of COVID-19 are relatively very low in children.
How To Take Care Of Children?
Dr. Latika Joshi, senior paediatrician, practising in Dehradun says that since the future is uncertain, it is very important that parents now pay more attention to the health of their little ones. Not just their diet, but their daily routine and exercise habits should also be looked upon. Here are some measures she recommends to follow:
- Encourage children to keep themselves and their surroundings clean and hygienic. Ask them to frequently wash or sanitise their hands.
- Treat them with fresh, home-cooked, healthy and digestible meals and include fresh green vegetables and all types of pulses in their diet. Refrain from eating outside food, especially junk food.
- Increase the number of fresh fruits, dairy products and dry fruits in their daily diet, to provide them with a good dose of protein and zinc.
- To keep the body hydrated, ask them to drink more water, coconut water and other healthy drinks.
- Encourage them to indulge in a daily exercise routine or play games with them that involves some physical activity. Along with this, make them practise breathing exercises, yoga and pranayama.
- Maintain a positive atmosphere around them and keep them away from stress, anxiety and fear.
- Explain to them the necessity of masking and sanitization. Do not let them step out of home without a mask.
- Prevent them from playing with a group of children and do not organise or let them go to birthday parties or other such gatherings.
- In case of any symptoms, isolate the kid and contact a doctor immediately.
