How to prevent and protect young children from the risk of coronary virus infection

On January 27, the Pediatric Department of Hubei Children's Medical Center, Tongji Hospital affiliated with Huazhong University of Science and Technology issued "Guidelines for Infant Control in the New Coronavirus Infection Pandemic". and "Family and Child Protection". Experts have suggested that preventing and controlling new Corona virus infections for children should be considered by parents.

1. Where is the transmission for children?

The main way to infect children is water droplets and contact. Droplets from an infected person can get into their hands, mouth, and eyes and spread the infection. In children, low autoimmune function makes them more susceptible to respiratory infections, especially young children. The younger the child, the harder it is to detect.

The main way to infect children is water droplets and contact.

Once the disease develops, the disease progresses faster and the incubation period may take as little as 1 day or it may take up to 14 days as in adults.

2. Manifestations of infected infants and young children?

Infection with the new corona virus is similar to the common cold with symptoms such as fever, weakness of limbs, dry cough, and even symptoms related to digestive system, cardiovascular system, nervous system and ophthalmology.

The biggest difference between a child infected with the coronary virus compared to the common cold is that it presents with diarrhea, shortness of breath (breathing too fast or too slow, breathing too deeply or too shallow), in infants it is wheezing, even symptoms of degradation in the lips and skin cause a bluish color. If the above symptoms, parents should take the child to see a doctor immediately!

3. Which newborns need to be tested for new coronavirus infection?

The only way the new Corona virus can be transmitted to an infant is through vertical transmission from mother to child, close contact transmission and droplet transmission (family members, family visitors), acquired infection in the disease. institute .

However, it is not clear whether the new coronavirus is transmitted vertically through the placenta or through breastfeeding after birth. Therefore, newborn screening is mandatory for those who experience any of the following: pregnant women diagnosed or suspected of coronary virus infection; Pregnant women in close contact with infected or suspected family members with corona virus.

Nursing women should pay attention to washing their hands regularly and paying attention to body hygiene, especially breasts and nipples. Never breastfeed if a mother is infected or suspects a new Corona virus infection.

For mothers diagnosed with the new corona virus infection, newborns should immediately be monitored and isolated for two weeks after birth.

4. How can parents protect young children?

• Prompt and proper isolation: Parents who suspect their child is infected with corona virus should isolate children at home, avoid contact with children and wear appropriate masks. Children should also wear an appropriate mask.
• Protect your family daily: When coughing or sneezing, parents need to cover their mouth and nose completely with a tissue, then throw used tissues in a closed container immediately and wash their hands with water. Do not kiss children, do not share food with children, do not share food and eating utensils with children, and do not use blowing mouth to cool food before feeding.

Parents should try to avoid sending children to crowded public places, wearing regular masks, changing clothes and shoes immediately after entering, handling masks properly, washing thoroughly and hygiene before touching children. . Parents should instruct children to gargle with salt water before and after going to a crowded place, before and after going to bed to raise awareness about prevention.

• Strict adjustment of hand washing: Urge children to wash their hands, wash their face often and limit hand contact. Do not allow children to suck their hands, pick their noses, rub their eyes, tell them not to touch objects' surfaces in public areas (especially those that are frequently touched such as elevator buttons). Wash your hands before eating, after urinating and after touching unclean objects. Teach children to wash their hands in seven steps.
• Increase ventilation for the room: Conditional families should turn on air purifiers and ultraviolet disinfection every day. Ventilate each room 2 to 3 times a day and open windows for 30 minutes to 1 hour each time. When the room is well ventilated, move the child to another room and keep warm to avoid chilling during ventilation.
• Sanitation and household disinfection: Keep the indoor environment clean and tidy. Conditional families can sterilize items' surfaces with alcohol once a day.

Electronic products such as cell phones and IPADs need to be cleaned and disinfected daily. Children's toys, learning and daily necessities can be disinfected by boiling in boiling water or sterilizing for 30 minutes. For items that do not tolerate high temperatures, you can choose to spray alcohol or put them in the sun.

Do not allow your home to have a wet corner to prevent the growth of viruses and bacteria. If your family has a disinfectant containing chlorine disinfectant, you can use it to clean the floor twice a day.

If there is a suspected or confirmed parent in a household of an infected person, disinfect items or room used by the sick person, should clean the house with a chlorine-based disinfectant solution 4-10 times /day.

All children who rest at home should rest on time to ensure adequate sleep.

• Appropriate activity and rest: Children should not watch TV or play electronic products for extended periods when resting at home. Exercises or physical activity should be streamlined. Parents of young children can perform passive limb exercises. All children who rest at home should rest on time to ensure adequate sleep.

5. Diet for children?

• Parents observe their child's bowel movements every day: It is important to keep the intestines smooth! Be alert for indigestion and abnormal bowel movements such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and the color, quantity and smell of urine.
• Daily nutritional balance: Ensure adequate nutrition, eat protein-rich foods, fresh and clean vegetables, increase the abundance of nuts that children eat (only apply to children who have been able to chew) and not dieting in adolescents. Supplement vitamins, minerals and cod liver oil in appropriate amounts according to the actual situation.
• All foods must be well cooked before consumption. Absolutely do not eat wildlife.
• Drink plenty of water and urinate properly: avoid drinking cold water as much as possible and drinking warm water to speed up the body's metabolism, while increasing consumption of dairy products (milk, yogurt).

6. What should I do if a child comes into contact with a suspect person?

Actively isolate and observe for 14 days at home with the child. Children with or without symptoms should seek help from health facilities even after 14 days.

The most important thing is that parents need to have a strong mentality, do not be too panicked before the epidemic to protect families and children.

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