COVID-19 can affect any portion of the population, including children. In the Philippines, around 12 percent of COVID-19 cases came from infants and children. COVID-19 most often presents as a mild case among the pediatric age group, but there are cases where children who contract the virus may require hospitalization. This may include those with neurologic, developmental, or chronic disorders as well as those who are obese.
If your child tests positive for the virus, here is what you should do.
1. Have your child stay at home to rest.
Home care is recommended for your child under these situations: if they are diagnosed with a mild case, if they were tested for the virus due to exposure to a COVID-positive person and are awaiting results, or if they exhibit flu-like symptoms even if no test has been done yet.
If your child is resting at home due to COVID-19, here are a few things you can do to help them:
- Monitor their temperature every four hours
- Monitor their oxygen levels every six hours with a pulse oximeter or monitor their breathing pattern
- Monitor the color, volume, and frequency of their urine
- Make sure they are comfortable and getting enough rest at home
- Give them plenty of water so they stay hydrated
- Give them medication for fever if it is one of their symptoms
- Make sure they are eating food that’s healthy, easy to chew, and easy to swallow. If an infant is infected with the virus, continue breastfeeding.
Additionally, here are a few precautions you can take to make sure the virus does not spread to the rest of your household:
- Keep your child away from other people or pets in your house.
- Make sure your child stays in a separate room and, if possible, use a different bathroom from the rest of the household.
- Have only one person look after your child to limit exposure.
- Have your child wear a mask if they are in the presence of other household members.
- Use separate sets of utensils, dishes, and glasses for your child.
2. Call a pediatrician if your child’s symptoms get worse.
If your child exhibits any of the following signs, inform your pediatrician immediately and ask for ways to prevent these symptoms from getting worse:
- Fever of 38.1°C that does not go away
- Ear pain or fluid dripping out of the ear
- Runny or stuffy nose that persists for two weeks or more
- Bad cough or chest pain
- Persistent headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing problems
- Lack of appetite for food and water
3. Bring your child to the hospital if you spot signs of a severe case.
It is important to constantly and closely monitor your child in case their condition worsens. If you notice your child with any of these symptoms, bring them to the nearest emergency room:
- Severe dehydration, which may manifest as dizziness, drowsiness, dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, peeing less, or crying with few to no tears
- Inability to talk or drink
- Confusion or drowsiness
- Having trouble breathing, has pale complexion, or develops blue discoloration around the lips
- Has oxygen levels below 95 percent on a pulse oximeter
When can your child stop isolation?
If your child’s symptoms improve and they have clinically recovered from the virus, isolation at home may be halted seven days from when the symptoms started (Day 0 being the day the symptoms started). Once your child is done with isolation, wait for a couple of hours before disinfecting the area where they stayed. If your child has completely recovered from COVID-19 and has completed isolation, they may receive the vaccine as long as they are already eligible under the Department of Health’s guidelines.
For more information about managing COVID-19 in children, download a copy of Philippine Pediatric Society’s A Parent’s Guide to COVID-19 Infection in Children here.
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