New Guidelines & Key Points to Take Better Care of Children
Director-General of Health Services (DGHS) has provided certain precautionary measures to save children from the clutches of Coronavirus. Apart from maintaining social distance and using masks and hand sanitisers, certain other things also should be practised. Following are a few important guidelines to take better care of children:
Children above the age group of 6 to 11 years must wear a mask. Parents should ensure that children are not unmasked in the public. Children below two years were not asked to wear a mask but now the age has been raised by three years making children below 5 free from wearing a mask.
Parents should make sure to continue any ongoing treatment of their children. They should be aware of the side effects of steroids and anti-coagulants for those children who are under other medication. Steroids and anti-coagulants should be administrated only under the supervision of an expert doctor in the concerned hospital.
Similarly, the use of Remdesivir has not been proved as safe and efficient for children below 18 years. Young children should be given serious care and awareness.
If a child is diagnosed with Covid, parents should not panic but should maintain calm and act wisely. Proper use of masks, hand sanitisers and keeping social distance can decrease the impact of its transmission.
Children who are diagnosed with covid should be given oral fluids so that they would not be dehydrated. A properly arranged diet including fresh vegetables and inevitable nutrients will help to maintain their health. If their symptom is getting worsened, then a High-Resolution of the Chest (HRCT) scan is the best step to diagnose their condition.
If matured children are affected by COVID, then they can go for home isolation and maintain their communication among the family members through phone calls and video calls. Family members should try to transfer positive spirit to the children. They should consult a doctor if the child’s condition becomes poor and unmanageable. On the advice of the expert, oxygen therapy can be given to seriously affected children.
In the case of breastfeeding babies, a balance of electrolytes and fluid should be properly maintained. If the oral intake is not satisfactory, intravenous fluid therapy is advisable.
Under the doctor’s recommendation, a child can be given paracetamol, anti-microbials (if there is a bacterial infection) and care for the comorbid condition if necessary.