Covid-19 is now taking its toll on children. Parents are very much confused about the symptoms in children. They are worried about not being able to detect the symptoms at early stage. The health ministry has released a set of guidelines for the parents to make it convenient for them to spot the symptoms for early treatment.

Since the symptoms of Covid in children are often mild, they can go undetected and result in severe cough, breathlessness in some and high fever. The Union Health Ministry says that since a majority of the children may be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, the common symptoms faced are cough, fever, breathlessness, loss of taste and smell, sore throat, diarrhoea and fatigue. Some may also face gastrointestinal issues.

The ministry also said that a new syndrome has been observed in children. This syndrome is called multi-system inflammatory syndrome which is characterized by abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea, rash, vomiting, cardiovascular and neurological problems.

If a child is asymptomatic and tests positive, then their health needs to be tracked constantly for the development of these symptoms. If these symptoms are detected on time, timely treatment will prove to be a boon. If mild symptoms like sore throat, fever, cough etc are noticed then these symptoms can be taken care of at home. Children with underlying comorbid conditions including congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, chronic organ dysfunction or obesity may also be treated at home, the ministry informed.

Fever can be treated with paracetamol. Intake of fluids to avoid dehydration and nutritious diet is mandatory. The ministry also clarified on the role of antiviral medication in treatment of Covid-19 in children. "There is no role of hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir, Ivermectin, Iopinavir/Ritonavir, Remdesivir, Umifenovir, immunomodulators including Tocilizumab, Interferon B1a, convalescent plasma infusion or Dexamethosone," the guidelines read.(source HT)

It is important to maintain a chart for the oxygen level and pulse rates, and if anything out of the ordinary is observed then parents must consult doctors immediately.