How to Take Care of Your Children During 2nd Covid-19 Wave?

The second wave of coronavirus is hitting more children compared to the previous wave. According to a pediatrics study infants and small kids of age 1-8 are the most vulnerable which means they are most likely to get infected in the first place. Many parents are scrambling because they are unable to keep their kids safe during the pandemic.

Effects of New COVID-19  in Children

The severity of COVID-19 symptoms and complications in children is lower than in adults or old age groups and some children may not even show any symptoms despite being infected by coronavirus. But when the infection hits hard, it may leave the kids with an uncommon Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) that can cause inflammation in different body parts like skin, eyes, and kidney.

Common symptoms of MIS-C apart from fever are-

• Rash
• Redness in eyes
• Stomach pain
• Abdominal pain
• Diadiarrhoea
• Nausea
• Swelling in neck
• Chapped lips
• Change in tongue color to dark pink
• Hands or Leg swelling

It is advised to call a doctor in case your child is suffering from a fever for more than two days as it might be MIS-C. Quick recovery is possible if the treatment gets started at the right time.

Can Children Get Vaccinated If Tested COVID-19 Positive?

There is no special vaccine for children as of now but if the severity of cases in kids increases, we might get to hear of a new vaccination drive in India. At present, supportive medicines are being given if a child gets infected.

How to Take Care Of Children During the Second COVID-19 Wave?

The new mutant virus is more infectious which makes it a difficult time for parents with small kids since all the regular activities like schooling and outdoor hobbies are on hold for more than a year now. And if your child tests positive, it can turn into a complex situation since you can not send the kid somewhere else or you can’t leave them because they are probably too small to take care of themselves. We know it is tough so our wellness experts came up with some pointers you can consider to take care of kids in such condition stated as follows-

1. Do not inject fear in your kids
   Do not stress and panic in front of your children in case anyone in your family is tested positive.
   
2. Do not self medicate
   Please do not start the medication without a doctor’s consultation unless you are one. Small babies and children are much more sensitive than you think, so avoid any situation which might risk their lives.
   
3. Keep a check on their mental health
   Focus on the mental health of your children because kids may develop a temper and tantrums staying indoors for such a long time.
   
4. Do not cage your kids
   Try to maintain hygiene around your children and socially distance them from being involved in outdoor activities with other kids but that doesn’t mean you have to cage them completely. Rather take them on a walk, for bicycling, or a small hike with you to rejuvenate their mood.
   
5. Take RT-PCR test at home
   Refrain going out for a test because hospitals and labs are already jammed. Get your kid diagnosed right at home by taking the RT-PCR test via The Wellness Corner app @best price. The sample will be collected safely by trained staff and taken to IMCR approved labs for detection.

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What If Your Child Tests COVID-19 Positive?

If your child tests positive, try explaining the situation appropriately to make them understand that it is just not the right time to engage with other kids and go out often. Tell them it’s not forever and they will get back to normal when things get better. Loading your kids with too much information can puzzle them and they might react cluelessly.

Ensure that they don't go out for at least 10 days since the symptoms appeared and encourage them to follow basic practices like washing hands regularly. Assuming that you must have consulted a doctor after the positive test result, include vitamins in their meal and make necessary changes in their diet as prescribed by the doctor.

Also, do not hand over sanitizer bottles to them but put some drops on their hands from a distance and monitor while they sanitize.

Make sure they get plenty of rest for a better recovery. Don't let them stay awake for long hours with their eyes stuck on screen.

You may also like: Handbook For Safe Homes During COVID-19

Parents Need to Be Cautious, Not Scared …

SARs-COV-2 is now spreading in the air and it is true that the virus won’t spare anyone if taken lightly. It is highly important to take care of your children’s safety and tell them to wear masks whenever required.

Keep the surroundings clean as the virus can stay on the objects too. Avoid having visitors at home and if by chance it is an emergency and someone needs to visit, keep your kids at a distance. As parents, you must be cautious but not scared because having a healthy environment and good vibes is equally important when you have playful lives around.