Protecting children against post-Covid-19 syndrome

Currently, the number of Covid-19  infected children in the province is increasing rapidly compared to the early stage. Most children with Covid-19 have had mild symptoms and recovered quickly, but they can still face post-Covid-19 syndrome with prolonged symptoms and sequelae if not being treated promptly.

Post-Covid-19 symptoms in children

Recently, Nguyen Thi Giang in Di An ward’s Nhi Dong quarter in Di An city has seen her daughter Luong Thi Giang Huong, 10 years old, with unusual symptoms, including frequent diarrhea, high fever over 38.5 degrees Celcius, abdominal pain, rash, sore throat and eyes, chapped lips. She said that 3 weeks ago, her daughter tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The girl was then taken to hospital by her family. Ten days later, she tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Recently, she has coughed a lot with shortness of breath. Her family has been advised to take her to the hospital for treatment of shortness of breath and ventilation.

Children with Covid-19 have mild symptoms and recover quickly, but they can still have post-Covid syndrome. Therefore, parents should take their children to the doctor if there are some unusual symptoms

Doctor Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of provincial Department of Health said: "Children with Covid-19 are usually mild and recover quickly, but regardless of age groups, those with the pandemic can show symptoms ranging from no symptoms to being hospitalized, death. For children, they also have prolonged clinical symptoms, post-Covid-19 conditions and sequelae called acute sequelae of Covid-19. The post-Covid-19 syndrome in children usually occurs about 2-6 weeks after being infected with Covid-19 with common symptoms such as high fever, digestive disorder, rash, red lips and tongue.

The symptoms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) are quite similar to some other medical conditions such as toxic shock or Kawasaki disease. Most patients recover completely after treatment and the mortality rate is very low. With this syndrome, children have a feeling of fatigue, dizziness, loss of smell, rash, red eyes, prolonged fever, even loss or change of taste... Others suffer psychological effects after being infected with Covid-19. They feel difficult to remember and understand teachers’ knowledge, have bad handwriting, etc. All of these symptoms need to be monitored, evaluated early and intervened in a timely manner to avoid affecting the long-term development of children.

Doctor Huynh Minh Chin recommends that if there is a Covid-19- child infected with mild symptoms or no symptoms, parents should not be subjective. Patents never give children any medicine not prescribed by doctors. After recovering with negative results for at least 2-3 weeks, children need to closely monitor. When having abnormal physical or mental symptoms, they need to be taken to hospital and even need to be monitored 2 or 3 months later. Children infected with Covid-19 need psychological support to overcome learning difficulties and avoid anxiety and pessimism.

Mainly affecting respiratory function

According to the study, the situation of post-Covid-19 syndrome in children and adolescents is recorded with respiratory and cardiovascular problems, changes in smell and taste, fatigue, headache, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). However, the most common post-Covid-19 syndrome in children is related to respiration such as prolonged cough, feeling of heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath. According to doctor Huynh Minh Chin, Covid-19 often affects lungs, so respiratory symptoms are prolonged. Some symptoms may persist for 3 months or more. Children aged at 6 and above with prolonged symptoms may need pulmonary function testing. Children with exertional dyspnea need a heart test to rule out complications such as blood clots. In addition, children are also reduced physical endurance. For example, they get tired more easily than usual even without heart, respiratory problems. They also face poor concentration, have headache and worse handwriting.

“After recovering from Covid-19 from 3 to 6 months, children will return to normal and there will not be too many threats. Parents should not be too worried. They need to increase children's resistance to overcome Covid-19 and post-Covid-19. Parents should supplement their children with a scientific, nutritious diet together with light exercise. Specifically, parents should ensure their children with a reasonable diet. Children also need to sleep on time and take exercise to maintain their physical strength. If children loss sleep, parents can let them listen to music without words to easily fall asleep. In particular, parents should give their children full vaccinations against Covid-19 to prevent the risks caused by Covid-19 and post-Covid-19", said Doctor Huynh Minh Chin.

“Headache is a common symptom in children during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Parents should give their children enough sleep, drink plenty of water, divide meals, encourage children to exercise, control stress to limit headache. If children suffer severe and prolonged headache, parents should take their children to the doctor." (Doctor Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of provincial Department of Health)

Reported by Hoang Linh-Translated by Kim Tin