When it comes to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and children, it’s better to be safe than be sorry.
While children may not belong to the “high-risk groups” and most Filipino children infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain to be mild as studies show, parents and guardians were urged to monitor the symptoms of the respiratory disease among the younger age group.
“The symptoms of children should not be disregarded,” said Dr. Cecilia Francisco, Director for Thematic Programs of Save the Children Philippines in a statement issued Wednesday, Aug. 18.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/18/aunt-dismisses-nephews-loss-of-taste-now-9-of-them-have-covid-19/
The child rights organization noted that there is also a growing concern that the highly contagious Delta variant is “more fatal” to children --- especially to those with co-morbidities or who are less than one year old.
This is because their immune response is either compromised or not yet developed.
“Children with COVID-19 generally have milder effects and better prognosis than adults but those who have underlying diseases have higher risks to experience severe illnesses,” Francisco added.
Given this, Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alberto Muyot underscored the need for adults to step up and act “more responsibly” especially when children are around.
“We also emphasize our call to parents, guardians, caregivers, and communities for them to act more responsibly around children,” Muyot, a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), said.
This, he added, can be done by “strictly adhering to the minimum health and safety protocols to protect themselves and their children from the imminent threats of the Delta variant.”
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/18/group-increasing-number-of-covid-19-cases-among-kids-adolescents-alarming/
The most common symptoms of COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), include "fever, tiredness and dry cough."
WHO said that “few patients experience aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea” and that patients usually have "mild symptoms" that start gradually.
“Most patients recover without needing any special treatment,” WHO said. “Only around 1 of 6 patients manifest with difficulty breathing and become seriously ill,” it added.
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