Since the beginning of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world rapidly, affecting millions.
Children can also be affected by Coronavirus. Children get Covid-19 by direct person-to-person respiratory transmission, i.e., when a person with infection coughs, sneezes, or talks, they can infect others. The infection might also occur if children’s hands are contaminated by droplets or by touching contaminated surfaces and then they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Most children get the infection from an infected household member. They can also get it from other playmates, or from school, social gatherings.
Children of all ages can get COVID-19. Children appear to be affected less commonly than adults, accounting for around 8% of cases.
Newborns can get a congenital infection (before birth) from infected mothers in 3-4 % cases, or more commonly after birth from mothers or other caregivers with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Symptoms in children are usually mild that include: fever, cough, sore throat, headache are the most common; followed by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain. Some children have rhinorrhea, shortness of breath.
About 15% of Covid-19 infected children can be asymptomatic.
With the Covid-19 pandemic showing no signs of receding, it is imperative that we protect our children from this disease and take all preventive measures.