Identifying and Managing Covid-19 in Children. With this second wave of the novel Corona Virus underway, the Government of India has given guidelines to identify and manage the illness. With the uncertainty of the current situation in India, we all feel helpless and lost. However, we must remember to keep educating ourselves in order to help fight the situation faster. Here are a few things to keep in mind while treating children for COVID 19:
1. Since majority of the children suffering from covid are mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, their symptoms may show as :
Fever
Cough
Breathlessness
Diarrhea
Sore throat
Loss of smell and taste, myalgia etc.
Some may also experience gastrointestinal and atypical symptoms.

2. For the treatment of a moderate covid case, the child should be admitted in a Dedicated Covid Health Centre and monitored. Furthermore, hydration through fluids and electrolyte balance is a must. If the child fails to orally intake the nutrients, intravenous fluid therapy should be started.

3. In the case of the child’s So2 levels falling below 90%, they are categorised as a severe covid 19 case and may suffer from severe retraction of chest, grunting, lethargy, somnolence or even seizures. Such cases should be admitted into a Dedicated Covid Hospital immediately to the extent that some of the children might need to be taken care of in the ICU/ HDU. The guardians must follow through with the investigations of the child- complete blood counts, liver and renal function tests, Chest X rays. Treatment for the same would be done through intravenous fluid therapy, however, under medical supervision.
4. To prevent your child from falling sick, please maintain the protocol and follow the practice of social distancing. Cover your eyes, nose and mouth with protective gear and wash hands at regular intervals.

SOURCE: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India