Is My Child At Risk For COVID-19?

14 Oct Is My Child At Risk For COVID-19?

The year 2020 has been unlike any other faced in a generation. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyday life has been uprooted for many since March. While the country is slowly moving towards a sense of normalcy, please make no mistake about it, COVID-19 is still a threat. If you’re concerned about your children’s health, our team at Pediatric Associates of Plainview will help. We’ll inform you if your child is at risk for developing severe symptoms should they contract this virus and offer some tips on how it can be avoided.

Underlying Health Conditions

Although COVID-19 is still a relatively new virus, and there is still much to learn about it, scientists around the world have still been able to gain valuable insight. One of these insights is that children do not seem to be affected as much as older adults. A large majority of symptomatic cases lie within the adult population, which should help ease some nerves about the danger your child faces. However, it doesn’t mean they are immune. If your child has any underlying health conditions, they may be at risk for developing severe symptoms, should they become infected. Such conditions that can lead to this may include:

• Obesity.
• Chronic lung diseases.
• Weakened immune system.
• If they are born prematurely.

Symptoms To Watch For

As previously stated, children make up far less of the infected population than adults. In the United States, children only make up 9% of the cases, and they are hospitalized less frequently than adults. However, children who get hospitalized end up getting sent to the ICU at the same rate as adults. That is why when you suspect your child is sick, they should be tested right away for COVID-19 so they can be monitored appropriately. Symptoms that can point towards this illness may include:

• Fever.
• Sore throat.
• Cough.
• Nasal congestion or runny nose.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle aches.

Mitigating The Risk

Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way to help your children avoid contracting COVID-19 entirely. However, steps can be implemented to reduce this risk. By having your child do the below, you’ll help keep them protected:

• Wash hands with soap and water regularly.
• Practice social distancing from their friends.
• Wear a cloth face mask when in a public setting.

Contact Us

At Pediatric Associates of Plainview, we know how difficult of a time this has been. The fear that COVID-19 brought has been unprecedented, but it’s important to remember that we will get through it with time and effort. Our team is committed to keeping our patients healthy and we will help your child in any way that we can. To learn more about if your child is at risk for COVID-19, or to schedule an appointment for care, contact us today.