How to take care of your Child with Covid-19 Symptoms?

How to take care of your Child with Covid-19 Symptoms?
There have been a fewer number of coronavirus cases in children than in adults. In most cases, the virus has caused milder illnesses in kids. However, there have been some children who have gotten really sick. Thankfully, Rainbow Children’s Hospital offers home health care services so that your child can get treatment from the safety of their home.

If you are wondering how to take care of your child if they get sick, read on.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
The first step towards taking care of your child with coronavirus symptoms is to learn about the symptoms. The most common signs include cough, fever, and trouble breathing. However, some children might also have:

1. Symptoms of cold such as congestion, runny nose, and a sore throat
2. Muscle pain
3. Chills
4. Headache
5. Vomiting or nausea
6. Loss of sense of smell or taste
7. Tiredness
8. Diarrhea

In some kids, symptoms that are caused by inflammation in the body were noticed, even several weeks after they got infected with the coronavirus. This is known as a multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children or MIS-C. Doctors are still trying to understand how the symptoms are related to the virus. Here are the symptoms of MIS-C that you should look out for:

1. Fever
2. Diarrhea or vomiting
3. Belly pain
4. A rash
5. Neck pain
6. Red eyes
7. Feeling very tied
8. Swollen feet or hands
9. Swollen lymph nodes
10. Red, cracked lips

What should you do if your child has symptoms?
If your child shows any of the above-mentioned symptoms, call your doctor. If your child was in contact with someone with the virus or in an area with a lot of infected people, tell the doctor. In case your child does have the virus, the doctor will recommend one of the following:

1. Get treatment at home
2. Have an online visit
3. Come in for an appointment

Apart from the hospital services at home Hyderabad, Rainbow Children’s Hospital also offers online video consultations. During the online visit, the doctor will check your child via video call from the safety and comfort of your home. It is better if you choose a pediatrician, someone who specializes in treating kids. If your doctor thinks that your child needs immediate medical attention, they will guide you accordingly. If you see any of the following signs, go to the ER:

1. Looks very sick
2. Bad belly pain
3. Dizziness
4. Cold, pale, sweaty, and blotchy skin
5. Chest pain
6. Confusion or feeling sleepy
7. Breathing problems. Check the nostrils puffing out with every breath or muscle that pulls in between the ribs.

To check your child for coronavirus, a long Q-tip or swab would be inserted into the mouth or nose and sent to the lab for testing. In case they cough up mucus, that would be sent for testing as well.

How to keep everyone in the family safe?
1. Until you talk to your doctor, make sure that all your family members remain at home. If the doctor says that your child might have the virus, everyone

must stay at home until the symptoms are gone or the testing is completed.
2. Keep other family members and pets away from your child.
3. Only one person should be taking care of the sick child so that others are not exposed.
4. If your child is more than 2 years old and is able to wear a face mask without making it hard to breathe, have them wear it when you are inside their room.

As long as your child is wearing the mask, you can stay with them. You also have to wear a mask while being in the same room as your child.
5. If possible, assign a bathroom for your sick child that no other family member uses. If that is not possible, make sure that the bathroom is cleaned

frequently.
6. Every family member should wash their hands frequently. They can use soap and water for 20 seconds or more or use a hand sanitizer.
7. Use regular wipes or household cleaners for cleaning things that are frequently touched like doorknobs, toys, phones, remote controls, and light switches.
8. If you are the primary caregiver, you need to wash your hands often and properly. Cover all your sneezes and coughs and avoid contact with other people.

Make sure that your kid gets all the recommended vaccinations like the measles and flu.

How is the coronavirus treated?
Most children with the illness get results with fluids, fever-reducing medicine, and proper rest. In case your child has severe symptoms, they will have to get admitted to the hospital. Rainbow Children’s Hospital offers home monitoring packages for children in Hyderabad to ensure that your child gets the best treatment right from the comfort of their home.