Jamshedpur: During the first phase of pandemic in 2020, in all 843 children were affected with Covid. But in the second phase which began from March this year, the number of Covid-infected children has gone upto 1,290.
Children have been affected more in the second wave of Covid-19, compared to the last one. Pediatricians across the city say that the effects of the virus on children have changed.
One reason for increased virality in children may be that the elderly have gotten vaccinated. The virus is smart enough to seek out the more immunocompromised population. Additionally, a lot of young people were infected by the virus. An official said that the mutated virus may also be a cause for increased cases in children. Most children don’t need intensive treatment and that the symptoms are fairly constant from the last wave.
Diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and cold are the common symptoms in children with Covid this time. Other signs are rashes, stomach ache, irritability, and unusual sleepiness. Since the treatment is symptomatic for all Covid patients, early diagnosis helps improve the chance of getting well. One must not delay getting an RT-PCR if any of the symptoms are showing. However, in some cases, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can happen in which the heart, brain, lungs, skin, kidneys, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs are affected. MIS-C can be fatal if not addressed in time
“The impact of the virus is reducing but we need to be careful. We should celebrate the festival with family and friends but we must avoid crowding. Masks are a must and we must keep a distance of 6 feet. We must adhere to social distance and avoid crowding. If we remain serious about the protocols the virus will further reduce significantly,” noted an official.
He said during the first phase of the pandemic in 2020, in all 843 children were affected with Covid. “But in the second phase which began from March this year, the number of Covid-infected children has gone upto 1,290,” said the official.