Danger signs that threaten children’s lives with COVID-19-Life Health

According to Dr. Do Tuan Anh, parents need to monitor and detect life-threatening signs and symptoms to take their baby to the hospital for examination and emergency.

At the recent “Post-COVID-19 – Understanding to not worry” seminar, Dr. Do Tuan Anh, Pediatric Center, Bach Mai Hospital said that from February 2022, children have been infected with COVID-19 mainly with the Omicron variant.

BS. Do Tuan Anh, Pediatric Center, Bach Mai Hospital.

In addition to respiratory and digestive manifestations like Delta/Alpha strains, children with Omicron mutant COVID have up to 30% manifest in the upper respiratory tract with common complications are acute laryngitis, acute bronchiolitis in children under 6 months of age.and it is the main reason why children need to be hospitalized and seek emergency care.

COVD-19 mutated Omicron increases the number of infected children, but up to 40% of children have no symptoms, 44% have mild symptoms, so symptomatic treatment and nutritional support are very important.

Regarding the treatment of COVID-19 for children, According to Dr. Do Tuan Anh, it is necessary to follow 4 principles: The first is to classify the disease level, the second is to treat the symptoms, the third is to personalize the treatment measures, the fourth is to monitor the detection and treatment when the disease progresses differently.

The goal of treatment is to be SAFE AND RIGHT.

– RIGHT: is the right time, the right medicine, the right dose and the right course.

– SAFETY: is the rational and correct use of drugs, to avoid drug abuse, increased side effects, and drug interactions.

Doctor Do Tuan Anh examines children.

ANTIBIOTICS are not drugs used to treat COVID-19, unless patient have evidence of/suspected bacterial superinfection.

In the past time, Dr. Do Tuan Anh also regularly advises parents or caregivers of F0 children at home: With monitoring and detecting signs and symptoms of life-threatening danger to take the baby to the doctor/ emergency at the hospital.

Danger signs of children with COVID-19 include 3 groups:

Respiratory group: Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, purple lips and extremities, 2 important parameters are: breathing rate and Sp02 index.

Dehydrated groupcommon in F0 with high fever, gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, poor appetite/anorexia): fatigue, lethargy, difficult to wake up, dry lips and oral mucosa, crying less tears, urinating less…

Body: Lethargy, loss of appetite, pale/purple skin, constant high fever, convulsions…

Doctor Do Tuan Anh also emphasized that children, as well as adults, often need time to recover after being infected with COVID-19.

To support this process, parents or caregivers need to pay attention to the child’s nutrition and rest. Note for children to use nutritious, easy-to-digest foods and drinks; Limit your exposure to electronic devices outside of school time.