Children most vulnerable with the onset of 3rd wave
VULNERABILITY OF CHILDREN
“The current double mutant strain is highly infectious and also affects young adults and children. The country is facing severe shortage of ICU beds. The biggest challenge has been availability of oxygen,” points out Dr Dinesh Kumar Chirla, Director Intensive Care Services, Rainbow Children’s Group of Hospitals. He however notes that “though in the second wave children are affected with fever, many of them are recovering and are being managed at home. Very few are needing hospitalisation, and of these, only some need ICU treatment.”
It is assumed that the vaccine drive will give many adults some protection against the Novel Coronavirus. “Some of the vaccines have now been licensed for children from 12 to 18 years and hopefully should be available. So far, in countries like France and Canada, which have seen the third wave, children were not severely affected. However, by the time third wave hits India, the majority of adults will be vaccinated but children will be vulnerable,” says Dr Dinesh.
“We can predict some new mutations in the virus” says Dr Vijay Kumar, noting that the number of people infected in the second wave is much higher than the first, and proportionately, the total number of children infected has also increased. “More number of cases among children are expected in the third wave,” he says.
FOLLOW DOCTORS’ ADVICE
TThere is no role for steam inhalation, hot water gargling, camphor inhalation, and oil instillation in the nose for children. These practices are dangerous and can result in burns, seizures, breathlessness and pneumonia. Please do not put your child at risk by following such harmful practices
— DR SINDHURA MUNUKUNTLA, Senior
Paediatrician, Yashoda Hospitals here is absolutely no proof that multivitamins will help in treating COVID or preventing COVID. Nevertheless, they may be given for a couple of weeks as per the paediatrician’s advice. Prolonged use, and high doses can harm the child. So, please follow the doctor’s instructions.
Go ahead with the regular vaccinations as per the recommendation of IAP (Indian Academy of Paediatrics), especially the 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks vaccinations, MMR, Pneumococcal and the flu vaccinations.
WHAT THE STATS SHOW
● A small proportion of children may develop serious disease, though much less commonly than adults and elderly
● More than 90% of infected children are asymptomatic
● Of the symptomatic children, about 1%–2% need ICU treatment. This number is far less than adults