WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Written by Caroline Meyer
The current coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 can cause mild to severe symptoms. Initial symptoms present as cold or flu-like symptoms. The virus is spread through coming into contact with the virus from someone coughing, sneezing, breathing, touching or talking when they have the virus in their system. The virus can also live on surfaces for a period of time. If someone has touched the surface after touching their nose or mouth or the virus is present on their hands, the virus can be transferred to the surface. If they cough or sneeze, the virus can also be transferred to nearby surfaces. Touching the surface and then touching your face can transfer the virus to your system.
Coronaviruses are not new, but COVID-19 is a new form of the virus. Coronaviruses in the past have been responsible for illnesses similar to the common cold as well as more severe illnesses such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Due to the COVID-19 virus being quite newly discovered, research is still in its infancy and more is being learned about it on a daily basis. At this point in time, the COVID-19 virus appears to be a lot more severe in the elderly, immune-compromised and those with underlying conditions and less severe in children.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cold and flu-like symptoms (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, painful muscles, aches, sore throat etc), fatigue, trouble breathing, loss of appetite as well as an altered sense of taste and smell or a loss of these senses. Symptoms can occur quite rapidly and in milder cases lasts for around 2 to 5 days. Some of the symptoms such as fatigue may linger for up to a month depending on the severity of the illness.
Symptoms in children generally appear quite mild, with some infected children showing no symptoms whatsoever. Infections can take up to 14 days after infection before any symptoms are experienced. This long incubation period means that many people carry the virus for a period of time before symptoms occur and can infect others in this time period as well.
If you or your child shows symptoms that you believe may be related to COVD-19, you should call one of the services available that can offer you advice. These helplines will ask you for information such as the symptoms being experienced, if you have travelled overseas or possibly come into contact with someone that may be carrying the disease. They will advise you on what to do. In most cases, this will most likely include self-quarantining the family at home and possibly being screened for the virus. You may be advised to go to a clinic or your GP or local hospital. You will be advised to the precautionary measures that need to be taken. Make sure you follow instructions to prevent further spread of the virus.
If the symptoms escalate and become more severe you may need to call emergency services. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing needs immediate emergency treatment. You should also seek help from your GP if your child runs a fever for 5 or more days. If there is swelling in the hands or feet, if the glands in the neck appear swollen, cracked lips, skin rashes, red eyes or changes in the tongue requires a GP consult as quickly as possible. If your child becomes unresponsive or the skin becomes blue or pale or they appear very drowsy seek emergency medical attention. Treatment will be symptomatic as there is currently no cure for the COVID-19 virus.
For milder cases, treatment will include paracetamol, bed rest and lots of fluids, similar to the treatment of a cold. You will also need to restrict the child from contact with others outside the home to prevent spreading the virus. This usually means isolating the child at home without outside contact for up to 2 weeks or until there are no further symptoms. It is very important that your child not attend school or childcare during this time period. They should also be kept isolated from elderly people or those with immune systems that are weakened in any way. Isolating at home with minimal contact with outside persons while there are any symptoms of the virus is the best way to help reduce the spread and the risk of infecting someone that may succumb to COVID-19.
Teach your children handwashing techniques to help prevent contracting and spreading the virus. Wet hands, rub soap onto hands then rub hands together for 20 seconds. Make sure the whole hand is washed including between fingers, both sides of the hands (not just the palms) and under the fingernails. You can use a soap crayon for the first few times to demonstrate washing the whole hand. Rinse all the soap off under running water. Use a paper towel to dry hands or just let them air dry. When soap and water is not readily available, show them how to use hand sanitiser instead. Make sure you always have some with you and use regularly when out and when water and soap is hard to come by.
Hands should be washed before preparing of meals and eating food. They should also be taught to wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet. Hands should be washed or sanitised after coughing, sneezing or nose blowing. Make sure to use tissues as far as possible and dispose of them in a bin or toilet after use. Show them how to cough or sneeze into their elbow when not wearing a mask. Hands should also be thoroughly cleaned after being in public spaces especially public transport. Make sure you follow the same protocols and allow your child to learn from a good example. Carry a self-sealing back for times when no bin is available to store used tissues. Dispose of it was soon as possible. Try and discourage the habit of face-touching as much as possible. Wear face masks as directed by your local authorities.
Make sure you spend time talking to your child about the current pandemic. Help them understand without fear or anxiety. Answer all their questions honestly in an age appropriate manner.
Many of the habits learned during the pandemic are likely to reduce spread of some other viruses in future as people practise better hygiene and more awareness.