Coronavirus Among Kids — My Experience

CuroScience
3 min readMay 5, 2021

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Positive…

Yes, we all tested positive for COVID-19 test. It was June 2020. It was the time when coronavirus breakout was at a peak in Pakistan. Everybody was scared and almost locked at home. With every coming day, we were listening about the people around us being caught in the infection. Each new day brought the news of new deaths and many people going in intensive care units. The situation was awful and panicky. Despite all the care and protection, coronavirus found my family too.

Including me, all the eight members of my family, each one of us was signing clear symptoms of coronavirus except for my 8 months old child. And to our fear, we all tested positive. Thankfully, all my family showed mild symptoms of COVID-19. We strictly went into home quarantine. I was totally terrified of my kid. She was way too young to catch the infection. I couldn’t stop myself from picturing her small pair of lungs with such a horrible germ. I prayed a lot for the wonder but it was almost impossible for her not to catch the virus, especially when I contained the virus myself. Being a mother I tried my level best for her safekeeping but soon she started coughing.

A day later, she showed a spiking temperature of 101 ºF. Her appetite flew away completely, so did mine. I continuously monitored her breathing and chest condition. Her coughing and sneezing was under my eye. She got mild diarrhea. She didn’t show any more symptoms. According to CDC, signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in children are fever, fatigue, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), cough, nasal congestion, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, difficulty breathing (blue lips), abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting or poor appetite.

We immediately contacted the doctor and by his advice took all the medicines, precautions and food necessary for her cure. I almost forgot that I was sick too. I woke with her for two nights straight and kept praying for any sign of betterment. Finally after three days and two nights, her temperature dropped. It was a huge relief. She was getting better with each passing day and had a speedy recovery amongst all of us. I couldn’t be more happier and thankful.

During all this, I went through a pile of interesting research literature through internet each day.

  • To my surprise children under 18 or more specifically under 15 were less likely to get infected by COVID-19. It was shocking as most of the world’s infectious diseases are amongst children. According to stats, only 2% of the total infected people in the whole world are children.
  • This may be because they go out less, hence, probably they have less in-person interaction.
  • A theory suggests that children might have fewer receptors (the sites) for the virus to bind and spread disease in the body. So it cannot make its way in young children’s’ cells.
  • A hypothesis is that the kids who have had their BCG vaccine as a part of their immunization program, are less likely to catch COVID-19 or probably catch the milder form.
  • Another study suggests that as children frequently catch common colds and influenza so they might have better immunity against COVID-19 virus.
  • Reports show that only 2 out of 8 infected children end up in the intensive care unit.

Although kids are less likely to catch the virus or are either asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) or show milder symptoms but they can always actively transmit the germ to another person. So, never ever rule out the precautions of masking, social distancing and hygiene. We, in Pakistan have passed out a huge coronavirus wave but still we can’t afford to mishandle the situation. Taking self care is mandatory. Take good care!

Originally published at https://curoscience.com.

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CuroScience
CuroScience

Written by CuroScience

Ms. Siddiqui is a dietitian by profession. She is likewise a content creator and writer.

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