What Parents Need to Know About Coronavirus
Currently, almost the entire world is on alert regarding coronavirus. Despite all of the alarms going off and the fear people are experiencing, not all of the information out there is reliable. In this article, we’ll share information that parents need to know about coronavirus and children.
What parents need to know about coronavirus
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses with an unknown origin, and there are different types of coronavirus. The different strains of coronavirus can produce anything from asymptomatic infection or a simple cough to complications such as pneumonia or even death from respiratory failure.
It was in December 2019 that specialists began to detect a new type of coronavirus – COVID-19 – in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Since then, the virus’s ability to spread easily from one individual to another has caused the number of cases to increase continuously. And, as a result, the virus has spread to many countries around the world.
The transmission of the virus occurs through tiny drops that travel when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The drops can land directly on another person or remain on other surfaces and objects.
Is coronavirus serious?
One of the biggest questions people have about coronavirus is about how serious it. It’s true that this virus spreads easily from person to person and there is a large number of infected individuals. However, the fact of the matter is that the mortality rate of this virus is low, varying between 1.4 and 2.1%. What’s more, the mortality rate is even lower among children.
The highest mortality rate exists among the most susceptible populations. These include the elderly, people with other associated illnesses and risks, or those with a suppressed or immature immune system.
What symptoms does coronavirus produce?
A coronavirus infection, in general, produces symptoms that are similar to those of the common flu. Among them, we can find the following:
- Nasal dripping
- Overall discomfort
- Tiredness
- Muscular pain
- Dry cough
- Runny nose
- Fever and the chills
- Sore throat and headache
People who have the infection
A person carrying the infection may remain without symptoms, experience flu-like symptoms like the above, or come to suffer more serious complications. The most severe complications can vary from pneumonia to respiratory failure.
You may also want to read: Common Causes of Fever in Children
Treatment and prevention of coronavirus
Other common questions about coronavirus refer to treatment and prevention. Currently, no effective treatment of coronavirus exists. Rather, medical professionals focus on treating symptoms, controlling fever and pain, and trying to maintain patients’ overall health.
It’s also important to be on alert regarding the appearance of possible complications. This is especially important, as we’ve said, in regard to the most susceptible populations.
This is why it’s so important to avoid the spread of coronavirus from one person to another. Therefore, the best means of prevention is practicing proper hygiene – or in other words, basic overall hygiene.
What’s more, individuals should place extra importance on hygiene involving their hands. It’s crucial that everyone wash their hands frequently, especially after a possible contact with an infected person or object.
What’s more, it’s very important to avoid contact with those who already have the virus. If this contact can’t be avoided, then you should cover your eyes, mouth, and nose.
You may also want to read: Contagious Diseases that Spread in Daycare Centers
What about coronavirus and children?
What parents need to know about coronavirus is that, while children are just as likely to catch the coronavirus as adults, the infection seems to be much milder in children. Experts have recorded fewer complications of the virus among the youngest population. In most cases, it doesn’t go beyond a simple case of a cough.
Nevertheless, the American Academy of Pediatrics, together with other pediatric institutions, aim to prepare a protocol regarding how to respond to and manage coronavirus in children.
Of course, the importance of being on alert is paramount. Those who suspect any possible case of the virus should alert public health officials without delay. That way, professions can apply appropriate measures in order to confirm or rule out infection. What’s more, they can provide important instructions regarding how to prevent the spread of the virus and complications.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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