Whether you were lucky enough to avoid it until now or you this is not your first COVID rodeo - here are some tips and some info you need to know to help you and the kiddos get through.
Resources:
CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
American Academy of Pediatrics parent website: www.healthychildren.org
Always follow the most current CDC recommendations if they are different than those in this document.
How to determine if you are confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19:
You or your child have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath) AND: Diagnosis was confirmed by positive lab test OR. Suspected diagnosis was made by a doctor OR You suspect COVID-19 based on symptoms consistent with COVID-19 AND widespread prevalence in your home or community.
Updated:December 4, 2020
COVID-19 Basics
COVID-19 Symptoms: The most common symptoms are cough and fever. Some patients progress to shortness of breath. Other common symptoms are chills, shivering (shaking), sore throat, muscle pains or body aches, headache, and loss of smell and taste. The CDC also includes the following less common symptoms: runny nose, fatigue (tiredness), nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Incubation Period: average 5 days (range 2 to 14 days) after coming in contact with the secretions of a person who has COVID-19.
No Symptoms but Infected: Over 30% of infected patients have no symptoms.
Mild Infections: 80% of those with symptoms have a mild illness, much like normal flu or a bad cold.
The symptoms usually last 2 weeks.
Severe Infections: 20% of those with symptoms develop trouble breathing from viral pneumonia. Many of these need to be admitted to the hospital. People with complications generally recover in 3 to 6 weeks.
Deaths: Children generally have a mild illness and recover quickly. Pediatric deaths are very rare. Older adults, especially those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes or weak immune systems, have the highest death rates. The overall death rate is around 6 per 1000.
COVID-19 is spread from person to person.
The virus spreads from respiratory droplets produced when a person coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings.
The infected droplets can then be inhaled by a nearby person or land on the surface of their face or eyes.
Most infected people also have respiratory secretions on their hands. These secretions get transferred to healthy people on doorknobs, faucet handles etc. The virus then gets transferred to healthy people when they touch their face or rub their eyes.
These methods are how most respiratory viruses spread.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) MIS-C is a very rare complication of COVID-19. In general, COVID-19 continues to be a mild disease in children.
The most common symptoms are fever with red eyes, red lips, red palms and soles. Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea also occur. Half of the patients develop trouble breathing.
MIS-C always has more than two symptoms.
Onset of symptoms: Usually about 4 weeks after a COVID-19 infection and apparent recovery.
Peak age: 8 years. Age range: 6 months to 21 years.
Treatment: MIS-C is treatable with medications, including IV immune serum globulin.
If a child gets this rare complication, a parent will know that their child needs to see a doctor. Patients with MIS-C need to be admitted to the hospital.
At this time, it cannot be prevented nor predicted.
Here are some tips to help treat the symptoms of COVID-19
COVID-19 Infection with Mild Symptoms - Overview:
You or your child have been diagnosed as probably having COVID-19 OR
You or your doctor suspect COVID-19 because it is widespread in your community and you have developed symptoms that match (cough and/or fever).
You may or may not have received a lab test for COVID-19. It doesn't matter. Most infections are mild, especially in children.
Here's some care advice to help the sick person feel better.
Treatment of Symptoms:
The treatment is the same whether you have COVID-19, influenza or some other respiratory virus.
The only difference for COVID-19 is you need to stay on home isolation until you recover. Reason: You want to protect other people from getting it.
Treat the symptoms that are bothering you the most.
There is no pediatric approved anti-viral medication for treating COVID-19 at home.
Antibiotics are not helpful for viral infections.
You don't need to call or see your doctor unless you develop trouble breathing or become worse in any other way.
Fever Treatment:
For fever above 102 F (39 C), you may use acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the patient is uncomfortable. (See Dosage table).
For fevers 100-102 F (37.8 to 39 C), fever medicines are not needed. Reason: Fever turns on your body's immune system. Fever helps fight the infection.
Exception: If the patient also has pain, treat it.
Fluids: Offer cool fluids in unlimited amounts. Reason: prevent dehydration. Staying well hydrated helps the body sweat and give off heat.
Make your own Cough Medication:
Age: 3 Months to 1 year:
Give warm clear fluids (e.g., apple juice or lemonade) to thin the mucus and relax the airway.
Dosage: 1-3 teaspoons (5-15 ml) four times per day.
If nothing else helps: Give a small amount of corn syrup. Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml). Can give up to 4 times a day when coughing. Caution: Avoid honey until 1 year old (Reason: risk for botulism).
Age 1 year and older:
Use Honey 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (2 to 5 ml) as needed as a homemadecough medicine.
It can thin the secretions and loosen the cough. (If not available, can use corn syrup.)
OTC cough syrups containing honey are also available. They are not more effective than plain honey and cost much more per dose.
Age 6 years and older:
Use Cough Drops (throat drops) to decrease the tickle in the throat.
If not available, can use hard candy. Avoid cough drops before 6 years. Reason: risk of choking.
OTC cough medicines are not recommended. (Reason: no proven benefit for children.) Honey has been shown to work better. Don't use OTC cough medicines under 6 years of age. Reason: Cough is a protective reflex.
Sore Throat Pain Relief:
COVID-19 often causes a sore throat. Here are some tips on treating it:
Age over 1 year: Can sip warm fluids such as chicken broth or apple juice. Some children prefer cold foods such as popsicles or ice cream.
Age over 6 years: Can also suck on hard candy or lollipops. Butterscotch seems to help.
Age over 8 years: Can also gargle. Use warm water with a little table salt added. A liquid antacid can be added instead of salt. Use Mylanta or the store brand. No prescription is needed.
Pain medicine: Use if pain interferes with swallowing. Not needed for mild pain.
Muscle Pains - Treatment:
COVID-19 can normally cause muscle pains and body aches.
Massage: Gently massage any sore muscles.
Stretching: Gently stretch any sore muscles.
Apply Heat: Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes 3 times per day.
Warm bath: For widespread muscle pains, consider a warm bath for 20 minutes 2 times a day. (do not do if they have a fever)
Gently exercise the sore muscles under water.
Pain medicine: For widespread body aches, give acetaminophen every 4 hours OR ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed. (See Dosage table.) Not needed for mild aches.
Fluids - Stay well Hydrated:
Drink lots of fluids. Water is best.
Goal: Keep the patient well hydrated.
It loosens up any phlegm in the lungs. Then it's easier to cough up.
it helps the body sweat and give off heat
Home Isolation Is Needed:
⦁ Isolation means separating sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.(CDC) That means stay at home for at least 10 days after symptoms started.
⦁ Living with a suspected COVID-19 patient implies close contact has occurred.
⦁ Both patient and family members should stay home on isolation and quarantine.
⦁ Exception: A fully vaccinated person with no symptoms does not need to quarantine. You should be tested 5-7 days after close contact with an infected person. You should also wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until you get a negative test result.
⦁ Essential workers who have COVID-19 exposure but no symptoms should talk to your employer.
⦁ The sick person does not need to be confined to a single room. Reason: Preventing spread of respiratory infections within a home is nearly impossible.
⦁ The sick person should try to avoid very close contact with other family members. That includes hugging, kissing, sitting next to or sleeping in the same bed. None of this is realistic for young children.
⦁ Older children and adults with symptoms may consider wearing a mask in common household areas.
⦁ Isolation Questions for Your Doctor: Home isolation can be complicated. A parent may need to return to work. Someone in the household may be elderly or have a serious medical problem. If you have additional questions, call your doctor during office hours. Your doctor is the best resource for up-to-date information on COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing -When and Where:
⦁ If COVID-19 is suspected, get a COVID-19 test. Testing is also needed if you have had an exposure, but have no symptoms.
⦁ Your doctor may provide COVID tests in their office. Bright Future Pediatrics has Rapid Tests in office as well as PCR send out tests available. Call or text the office and you may schedule a telemed visit with a drive up test. (This is new since 02/10/2022) Many retail clinics and urgent care centers offer testing. Community drive-through sites or pharmacies may also be testing site options. At home self- tests can also be bought in some drugstores (such as Walgreens, CVS, CareFirst Pharmacy in Broken Arrow recently had a large supply).
⦁ Here are some facts that may answer some of your questions:
⦁ Diagnostic Tests: These are performed on nasal or mouth secretions. The test can tell us if you have a COVID-19 infection now. Timing is important on when to do this test:
⦁ With Symptoms. Get a test within 3 days of onset of symptoms.
⦁ Without Symptoms but with a COVID-19 close contact. Get a test on day 5-7 after exposure. To be safe, people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine should also be tested. (CDC)
⦁ Repeat diagnostic tests: After a positive test, repeat tests are not recommended. Even after it is safe to stop isolation (usually 10 days), tests may stay positive for up to 90 days. A positive test does not mean the patient can spread the infection once the required isolation period is completed.
⦁ Antibody Tests: These are performed on blood. They can sometimes tell us if you have antibodies from a previous infection. They are not done until at least 2 to 3 weeks have passed from the start of the infection. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about this test.
⦁ If you have testing questions, call your doctor during office hours.
Additional Helpful Information:
SOURCE:
Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP
Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC
This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full
responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.
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