Corona virus can attack anyone, including children. In fact, there are some cases where a child is tested positive for COVID-19 even though both parents are negative. For parents who have COVID-19 positive children, can they take care of them at home and how?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or Corona virus is a virus that attacks the respiratory system. In children, this disease can cause several symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, loss of the sense of smell or taste disturbance, and shortness of breath.
In addition, children who are exposed to COVID-19 can also experience diarrhea or symptoms that resemble pneumonia. However, there are also children with COVID-19 who do not experience any symptoms.
Terms and Conditions of Self-Isolation for Children
When your little one starts showing the above symptoms, especially if he has close contact with a COVID-19 patient and the antigen or PCR test result is positive, then Mom or Dad doesn't need to panic too much, OK?
Mothers and fathers need to know that children infected with COVID-19 can self-isolate at home, really. However, this is of course done with the terms and conditions that apply.
Based on the Indonesian Pediatrician Association or IDAI, there are several requirements for self-isolation in children, namely:
- Child has COVID-19 without symptoms or asymptomatic
- The child has mild symptoms of COVID, such as cough, runny nose, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, but is still active and can eat and drink smoothly
- Children can apply cough etiquette
- The room or room in the house has good ventilation
Tips for Caring for Children Positive for COVID-19 at Home
In addition to the terms and conditions above, there are some tips for parents if you want to take care of Corona positive children at home, including:
1. Make sure parents are at low risk of being exposed to the Corona virus
Before deciding to treat a child with the Corona virus, Mother and Father need to ensure their own health conditions first.
IDAI allows children to self-isolate at home, as long as one or both parents are in good health and not exposed to COVID-19 or at low risk of contracting the disease.
The reason is so that Mom and Dad can take care of the Little One who is struggling to return to health safely. If a mother or father is infected with COVID-19, the little one can be cared for by another family who is negative for COVID-19.
2. Always wear a mask
When caring for children who are positive for COVID-19, mothers and fathers are encouraged to always wear masks. To be more effective in preventing transmission of the Corona virus, Mother and Father can use a double mask with a surgical mask on the first layer and a cloth mask on the second layer.
If the child is more than 2 years old, teach him to use a mask when around healthy family members. Also, don't forget to give him a break without a mask. The use of masks is very important in protecting fathers, mothers, and other family members from transmission of the Corona virus.
3. Sleep on separate beds
If your little one can sleep alone, Mom and Dad can use a separate mattress with him. When in the child's room, maintain a physical distance of at least 2 meters between the little one's bed and the bed of the father or mother, yes.
This is important to reduce the risk of transmitting the Corona virus from the splash of saliva released by the Little One while sleeping.
However, if the age of the baby is still too small or under 2 years old and still wants to sleep with Mom or Dad, make sure Mom or Dad still wears a mask when sleeping, okay? Meanwhile, your little one is advised to take off the mask when he sleeps. This is important to prevent the child from having difficulty breathing while sleeping.
4. Wash hands before and after touching children
Corona virus is very easily transmitted through sprinkling of phlegm or droplets and dirty hands. Therefore, Mom and Dad must wash their hands before and after touching the Little One, especially if Mom and Dad want to touch his face area.
In addition, Mom and Dad also need to always remind him to wash his hands diligently. This is important to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 to others.
5. Monitor the child's symptoms every day
While caring for a child who is positive for COVID-19 at home, mothers and fathers need to continue to monitor their symptoms and conditions every day. Also try to check his body temperature using a thermometer 2 times a day in the morning and evening.
In addition, if possible, measure your child's oxygen saturation and pulse rate using an oximeter. This is important to ensure he does not experience a decrease in oxygen saturation, including happy hypoxia.
So as not to forget, record your little one's temperature and oxygen levels in a notebook. This can also make it easier for Mom or Dad when they want to consult a doctor via service telemedicine or certain health applications.
6. Provide psychological support
When the child is older, give him an understanding of the disease he is currently experiencing. So that children don't feel anxious and scared by the Corona virus, Mom and Dad still have to provide psychological support to them.
Say positive sentences to your child, for example, "You will get better, come on, cheer up!".
Also provide understanding and support, so that he will take the drugs and supplements recommended by the doctor. Mothers and fathers also need to invite children to eat nutritious food every day, so that their bodies can be stronger against the Corona virus.
In addition, invite him to keep doing fun activities so he doesn't get bored during isolation at home. Mother can make video calls with some relatives or friends so she doesn't feel lonely.
Those are the requirements and guidelines for caring for children affected by COVID-19 at home. By applying these tips, Mom and Dad can both monitor the condition of the baby at home until his condition slowly recovers.
If you still have questions about tips and how to treat a child who is positive for COVID-19, Mom and Dad can also consult a doctor via a health application, such as Alodokter.
While caring for a child who is positive for COVID-19 at home, Mother and Father need to be vigilant, if he or she experiences certain symptoms, such as shortness of breath, bluish lips and nails, weakness, does not want to eat and drink, or if the child shows signs of dehydration. Likewise, if the child's oxygen saturation is reduced to below 94%.
If your little one experiences these symptoms or his condition gets worse, immediately take him to the nearest hospital or doctor for proper treatment.
