How can we treat children who have symptoms of COVID a home?

As of now COVID has no drug, but fear has, which is genuine information and knowledge.

In the second wave we have started seeing children being affected by this pandemic. Many parents are in a situation where they can not take their child to hospital even if they want to. The aim of this article is to instill some courage and confidence in the parents by raising awareness about the disease itself. 

The first thing to remember is that children can easily overcome the disease compared to adults.

After seeing hundreds of such children over the past year and talking to thousands of parents ,I am making this effort to allay common fears that naturally arises in them.

When should COVID be suspected in children?

If someone in the house has had a COVID within the last fortnight, or if child is going to school or tuition and if any of the following symptoms show up.

1.) Cough 2.) Cold 3.) Headache 4.) Vomiting 5.) Diarrhea 

6.) Bodyaches 7.) Stomach pain 8.) Fever 9.) Sore throat 

10.) Fatigue 11.) Extreme weakness. 12.) Redness of the eyes

What to do when in doubt?

If possible, consult your pediatrician and get a COVID PCR test done after advice. 

Make sure you have a fever medication, thermometer, and pulse oximeter at home.

Keep in mind that the COVID also behaves like regular viral infections in children, no need to worry.

Who are at risk and to be extra cautious?

1.) Infants aging less than six months as  child may deteriorate rapidly in this age and will be difficult to assess.

2.) In children over the age of twelve the disease can behave as it does in adults.

3.) Overweight children (major risk factor).

4.) Children with heart and lung problems, children who have underwent organ transplant or bone marrow transplantation, or children on chemotherapy / immunosuppressive medication.

How to treat at home?

1.) Paracetmol should be taken in advised doses with a gap of atleast six hours only after checking temperature and it is 100F or more. Don't give round the clock paracetamol if child doesn't have fever.

2.) Only boiled and cooled water should be given for drinking. Freshly cooked vegetarian  meal should be served. Plenty of liquids like buttermilk and other soups should be given. Eat fruits like apples and bananas. Do not force feed, do not give fruit juices.

3.)Let them rest as much as possible, try to reduce TV,  phone use.

4.) Note how frequently child is passing urine.

5.) Whenever you see body temperature, write it down in a book, including the time, so that you can assess if fever severity is decreasing or not in 2 days.

6.) Its difficult to check pulse oximeter reading in children less than 3yrs, if possible check it twice a day and note down. ( Reading of oxygen saturation less than 96 should alert parents).

7.) Saline nasal drops can be used for mild cold and cough.

8.) It is natural for children to be lethargic when they have fever . Observe their activity when fever settles.

9.) It is natural for children to have low appetite when they have a fever, and for a couple of weeks after COVID. Do not force feed.

When should you take your child to the doctor? 

Consult your pediatrician if your child has any of the following symptoms.

1.) If the child eats and drinks very little is not even interested in drinking milk or water.

2.) Fever exceeding 102.5 F / 39 C. (High grade fever.)

3.) If the child does not pass at least once in six hours.

4.) If the fever lasts for more than 2 days / 48 hours.

5.) Fever with rash .

6.) If child is having incessant vomiting or frequent loose stools.

When you need to rush to emergency/ Hospital admission:

1.) When the child is very dull , not responding as as he usually does. 

2.) If the child has seizure/fit or has uprollig of eyeballs.

3.) Pulse oxymeter reading of oxygen saturation less than 96%.

4.) If he doesn't pass urine for more than 6hrs.

5.) If the child is behaving abnormally or is sleepy all the time.

6.) If the child is breathing heavily or having respiratory distress.

Common Mistakes by parents:

1.) Getting medication from shop without proper consultation , these usually contain unnecessary antibiotics, overdosing.

2.) Giving paracetmol whenever child feels warm without checking temperature / or giving paracetamol to avoid fever.

3.) Paracetmol is available in different preparations and strengths(p 100 drops, p125 drops, p120 syrup, p125 syrup, p250 syrup, p500 syrup, tab paracetamol 500,650 and 1000mg). Parents can get easily confused and could give either too little or too much which is dangerous.

4.) Exposing child to hot  water vapor or nebuliser (children might choke or have burns of face and airways). Nebulisation is not treatment for cold.

5.) Forced feeding and not giving enough water or fluids to drink.

6.) Getting CT scan of the child  without the advice of a pediatrician, exposing the child to unnecessary radiation.

7.) Hiding the suspension of COVID from your pediatritan.

8.) Starting the child on drugs used for adults with COVID at home , might be dangerous.

Precautions to be taken in children if an adult at home is COVID positive :

1.) Provide healthy, home-made food, and fruits for children. Giving boiled and cooled water to drink.

2.) Keep them in a separate room at home if possible for a couple of weeks, and do not send them outside for play, school or tuition (thus preventing the risk of infecting to other children).

3.) Give plenty of liquids.

4.) If a mother with child aged less than one year gets positive and is reasonably healthy,  mother should wear a mask and continue breastfeeding.

5.) Everyone at home if if vaccinated should continue wearing mask if one of the adults tests positive.

8919994819 (WhatsApp only).

Dr Srinivas Rekapalli

MD, FNB. Trained in Chennai Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust hospital.

Consultant and Head of ICU

Nori hospital Vijayawada.

From Bhimavarm.

8919994819 (WhatsApp only)

Feel free to call your doctor or 108 in case of emergency. Or whatsapp to 89199 94819 for pediatric consultation online . 

The details mentioned in the article are just to create awareness among the parents. Always follow the advice of your pediatritan.

The author of this article, Dr Srinivas Rekapalli MD, FNB (Andhra Medical College / KGH), has 11 years of experience in pediatrics and has done Fellowship (FNB Kanchikamakoti Child Trust Hospital chennai) in treating acute illnesses in children in ICU.