How can the omicron variant of covid-19 affect your child? Here’s what you need to know

With the start of 2022, the world is struggling with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. All across the world, governments are trying to vaccinate the masses to protect them against COVID. However, the number of cases has started to rise sharply, and the impending third wave of COVID-19 is here. Based on the research evidence, experts are now suggesting that this variant of the virus is more transmissible and possesses a greater risk for children, who are still now unvaccinated in most countries around the world.

Research is still undergoing into Omicron’s transmissibility, severity, and reinfection risk. Given the greater risk of children, now is a crucial time when parents need to know about the symptoms of the omicron variant, the preventive methods they can use, and the ways in which you can treat your child in the unfortunate instance of them being infected or showing symptoms.

What Are The Common Symptoms Vs What Are The Symptoms You Should Be Worried About?

Common Symptoms

Headaches, mild fatigue, and coughs are the most common symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Congestion along with a runny nose are also common symptoms nowadays, with a loss of appetite. Apart from the ones mentioned, brain fog is also a common symptom. It refers to a feeling of being mentally slow, fuzzy, or spaced out. Even though fever, dizziness, losing taste and smell are common symptoms, you should take them seriously if these symptoms persist.

Even mild symptoms that appear for over 5-6 days would require you to take a COVID test. These common symptoms do not require immediate medical assistance and can be treated with the parent’s care at home. There are, however, some symptoms that require serious medical assistance and COVID testing they are mentioned below.

Symptoms You Should Be Worried About

• Trouble breathing

• Constant pain or pressure on your chest

• Bluish lips or face

• Pneumonia

If your child/children are having any of these symptoms for more than 2-3 days, you need to go for a COVID-19 test and also need immediate medical care. Remember that it is also possible to have COVID-19 with minimal or even no symptoms at all, so prevention methods need to be followed at all times to keep your child safe from the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

How Can You Protect Children Against The Omicron Variant Of COVID?

To reduce the possibility of your children getting affected by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, you as a parent should follow these most needed steps:

• Make sure all the adult family members are fully vaccinated.

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever you go out of your house.

• Wash hands regularly.

• Maintain high levels of personal hygiene.

• Avoid crowded places.

• Talk about the importance of wearing a mask and washing hands regularly with your child. It should be explained to them in an age-appropriate way.

• Get your child vaccinated whenever it is available.

What You Should Do If Your Children Show Symptoms Of COVID Or Are COVID Positive?

If your child is showing any symptoms of COVID, it is necessary to treat your child as per the symptoms they are showing. If the symptoms do not reduce/go away after a few days, you need to consider getting a COVID test for your child. In the unfortunate event of the test returning positive, you have to monitor the health of your child closely and take them to a hospital only if they suffer from a very high fever that is not reducing or from breathing problems and high chest pain. It is important to know that treating children at home can help them recover faster from COVID.

Where Can You Get The Best COVID-19 Treatment?

If you are worried about the health of your child or want to get them the best medical care in case they are ever infected by COVID, you can surely visit Medipulse hospital, the best tertiary care hospital in Jodhpur. You can get the best medical care at Medipulse thanks to the experienced and dedicated doctors and medical staff that work tirelessly to keep you and your loved ones safe from COVID-19. For more information about COVID treatment at MediPulse, please visit the hospital website.