India: Second wave of Corona dangerous for kids, ignoring treatment if symptoms subsides causing organ & neuro damage
As the coronavirus situation in India has turned grim with the country’s daily count crossing the 2-lakh mark, doctors have observed that the second wave of the lethal disease is affecting children especially between the age of one and five.
India is likely to register the greatest increase in the number of deaths among children below five years among six South Asian countries in 2020 and also the highest number of maternal deaths amid the coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted the country's health services, according to a UNICEF report.
Calling the situation ‘very dangerous’, doctors have asserted that the virus is taking a toll on the newborn and the youth. This brings in worry for parents, especially for those where children are in the age group of 1 year to 5 years.
Children are often prone to infections as they are building immunity, but corona infection is no ordinary infection and now. The number of children affected by infection have doubled in the last few months according to the figures released.
“A large number of parents are taking up medicines, but not getting the child tested as they fear isolation will be too difficult,” a teacher Bindiya Sharma said citing a few examples of such cases.
The number of children getting admitted to hospital has increased five times as compared to 2020.
Don’t fear isolation, Complete the Course, avoid organ damage
“The new strain of coronavirus is also infecting 2.5 years old as well with symptoms of cold, fever, body-ache and stomach issues. Mostly, the symptoms depict a severe form of pneumonia,” Dr Abhyudaya Verma, endocrinologist, said.
Pneumonia, curable and preventable disease, claimed the life of one child every 39 seconds globally, according to a new report by the UN. Among these, 1,27,000 deaths, second highest deaths, were recorded in India.
“A major concern is incomplete treatment, which will result long-term problems and organ damage,” Verma said. He explained that kid’s recovery rate is much better and faster than adults.
“Hence, symptoms subside sooner, and parents discontinue the medication leaving the virus a chance to stay in the body, which eventually results in organ damage and long-term issues cropping up later,” Verma said.
Beware of neuro changes, watch for signs
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, likely does not directly infect the brain but can still inflict significant neurological damage, a new study published in the journal Brain said. It suggested that the neurological changes often seen in these patients may result from inflammation triggered by the virus in other parts of the body or the brain's blood vessels.
“It is essential to note and understand that anxiety is not necessary but we must be careful and counter our fear of isolation to fight covid-19,” Dr Smita Agrawal, neuro-psychologist, said. She suggested watching out for other symptoms like seizures, stroke, etc.
Wash hands over use of sanitizers especially near new-born
According to the new study published on January 21 in JAMA Ophthalmology, the excessive use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers amidst the pandemic has raised serious problems of eye injuries among kids.
“Hence, it is suggested that wash your hands using soap and liquids often. Especially, when approaching new-born, opt for washing your hands over sanitizers so that you don’t affect the baby’s eye,” Dr Amit Solanki, ophthalmologist, said.
“If your child is already suffering from a weak eyesight, make them wear glasses, as it can prevent the chemicals from entering the eyes,” Solanki said.
India is likely to register the greatest increase in the number of deaths among children below five years among six South Asian countries in 2020 and also the highest number of maternal deaths amid the coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted the country's health services, according to a UNICEF report.
Calling the situation ‘very dangerous’, doctors have asserted that the virus is taking a toll on the newborn and the youth. This brings in worry for parents, especially for those where children are in the age group of 1 year to 5 years.
Children are often prone to infections as they are building immunity, but corona infection is no ordinary infection and now. The number of children affected by infection have doubled in the last few months according to the figures released.
“A large number of parents are taking up medicines, but not getting the child tested as they fear isolation will be too difficult,” a teacher Bindiya Sharma said citing a few examples of such cases.
The number of children getting admitted to hospital has increased five times as compared to 2020.
Don’t fear isolation, Complete the Course, avoid organ damage
“The new strain of coronavirus is also infecting 2.5 years old as well with symptoms of cold, fever, body-ache and stomach issues. Mostly, the symptoms depict a severe form of pneumonia,” Dr Abhyudaya Verma, endocrinologist, said.
Pneumonia, curable and preventable disease, claimed the life of one child every 39 seconds globally, according to a new report by the UN. Among these, 1,27,000 deaths, second highest deaths, were recorded in India.
“A major concern is incomplete treatment, which will result long-term problems and organ damage,” Verma said. He explained that kid’s recovery rate is much better and faster than adults.
“Hence, symptoms subside sooner, and parents discontinue the medication leaving the virus a chance to stay in the body, which eventually results in organ damage and long-term issues cropping up later,” Verma said.
Beware of neuro changes, watch for signs
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, likely does not directly infect the brain but can still inflict significant neurological damage, a new study published in the journal Brain said. It suggested that the neurological changes often seen in these patients may result from inflammation triggered by the virus in other parts of the body or the brain's blood vessels.
“It is essential to note and understand that anxiety is not necessary but we must be careful and counter our fear of isolation to fight covid-19,” Dr Smita Agrawal, neuro-psychologist, said. She suggested watching out for other symptoms like seizures, stroke, etc.
Wash hands over use of sanitizers especially near new-born
According to the new study published on January 21 in JAMA Ophthalmology, the excessive use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers amidst the pandemic has raised serious problems of eye injuries among kids.
“Hence, it is suggested that wash your hands using soap and liquids often. Especially, when approaching new-born, opt for washing your hands over sanitizers so that you don’t affect the baby’s eye,” Dr Amit Solanki, ophthalmologist, said.
“If your child is already suffering from a weak eyesight, make them wear glasses, as it can prevent the chemicals from entering the eyes,” Solanki said.
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