Here’s how to take care of kids during a Pandemic

The Covid-19 outbreak that began last year has quickly erupted into a pandemic. The medical community learns more about it every day. People have become increasingly concerned and frightened over the rise of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Children’s health is a major concern for parents, and they are likely to have questions regarding the effects of the disease on them and what can be done to protect their younger ones. Many sources are looked into every day to uncover ways to counter the virus.

Considering our healthcare system is already under stress due to hospital bed and oxygen shortages, it becomes all the more vital to know how to care for your children and family. We’ve put together a list of things that can help you handle the situation.

Does Coronavirus Affect Kids?

COVID-19 is known as the “Novel Coronavirus” for a reason. The disease impacts children in many different ways. The good news is that in comparison with adult cases, infants and children in this outbreak have fewer cases, milder symptoms and a higher prognosis.

As revealed by the final report of a joint mission between the World Health Organization and China to study the Coronavirus outbreak in China, the percentage of reported cases among children under 18 was 2.4% with mild symptoms, while over 2.5% of kids under 19 had severe symptoms and 0.2% were critical.

Symptoms of Coronavirus in Children

Cough
Fever
Breathing troubles
Sore throat, stuffy nose, or a runny nose
A sore muscle
Headache
A loss of taste or smell
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhoea
Fatigue
Chills

How to deal with these symptoms?

It can be not easy to remain calm during these situations but do your best to remain centred.
Consult a doctor. Your doctor may conduct a detailed history and assess the condition. Children can get fevers and sore throats for several reasons, and routine medical care can cure them. Testing may only be recommended in cases of close contact with COVID-19 patients.
Make sure your child gets adequate rest and drinks plenty of fluids.
Keep an eye out for signs on your children that may require more medical attention, such as shortness of breath, fast breathing, drowsiness, difficulties with eating or drinking, and signs of dehydration, including peeing less and fewer bowel movements than usual.

Promote hygienic practices among children

Make sure they wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Be sure to teach your kids to avoid repeatedly touching their eyes, noses, and mouths.
Educate them to use a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue right after the use.
Regularly wipe the surfaces and objects that you and your family come into contact with.
Trim your kids’ nails regularly.
Every day, make sure they have a bath and change their rompers.
Kids learn by example, so parents who practice good hygiene model that behaviour for their children.
Make sure you follow your local health department’s instructions.

Educate your children about COVID

As children learn more about the virus, remind them to keep their guard up. Children, especially older ones, tend to be anxious and may have misunderstandings. Talk to them and ensure that they feel at ease by patiently addressing all of their concerns.

As Children don’t have access to restaurants or malls, they are more likely to throw tantrums. However, you should explain to them the importance of social distance in a very calm manner.

Foster healthy eating habits. Encourage your child to eat organic and homemade food through creative means. Furthermore, you may want to consider organic clothes for your kids.

Engage in video or phone calls with trusted people and use other safe communication methods.

Please remember to stay home and keep you and your family safe as it is the only need of the hour.

Author Bio

I am Andrea Micheal, a post-graduate in humanities and communications and an inquisitive person who loves writing. I’m working for Tiny Twig and my forte is digital marketing and everything that has to do with phones and screens. I believe that one person can make a change, and that’s precisely why I took up writing, which is the best tool to communicate these days. I have a decade of experience in writing and marketing, and I still find myself learning new things about it, which I want to share with my readers.