How to Protect Your Kids from Covid-19?

The new coronavirus disease or COVID-19 has created mixed feelings among people throughout the world - stress, anxiety, panic and uncertainty. Among others, children feel these emotions very strongly. The novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus. The disease was first identified in Wuhan, China. This virus can be linked to the same family of viruses as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and some types of the common cold.

What are the symptoms of the disease?

The symptoms of the disease include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Severe cases would include pneumonia and breathing difficulties. The disease can be fatal in rare cases. The disease weighs down on those with weaker immune systems and chronic problems, especially the elders and children to some extent. Though some children may have cold often but a child specialist will be able to recognize the difference between common flu and this new disease.

How can you keep your kids safe?

The following are some techniques that you and your kids can undertake to avoid infection:

● Washing hands regularly with an alcohol-based sanitizer or with soap and water - The virus has an outer layer made of fats. Soap destroys this layer of fats and the RNA within the virus is destroyed. Alcohol has a similar effect and is effective against the virus. Hence, you need to ask your kids to wash their hands their soap properly. You should make sure to wash the entire exposed portions of your arms properly for 20 seconds or more. The virus can spread if you touch your eyes, mouth, or face with infected hands. This would kill the virus and not allow the virus to get inside your body.

● You need to cover your mouth while coughing - While coughing, you need to use a tissue and dispose of used tissue immediately. Do not throw the tissue at a place from where it can spread the contamination. Use a flexed elbow for sneezing and coughing.

● Maintain distance from others - You need to stay away from anyone who has symptoms similar to flu or cold. Most countries are going under lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. If it is possible, you need to work from home. You should keep your kids at home to cut off the chain of contamination. This is the only way to save yourself from the disease.

● Seek medical care early on - If you think your kids are falling sick with symptoms such as cough, fever and difficulty in breathing, you need to seek medical care. The disease is quite treatable if diagnosed in the initial stages. If the infection becomes severe, the disease can have a fatal effect.

You can keep yourself safe by following these simple guidelines. There is no need to panic at the moment. You need to know that the disease proves fatal mostly among older people and only a few cases have been reported among children. You should still take proper care to keep yourself safe and visit a child specialist if you child has any flu symptoms.