Coronavirus disease and children: PART II

January 28, 2020. When reading this and similar articles, mentally jot down the date they were written. Very likely, some of today’s recommendations will be updated tomorrow.

(PART I, written on January 24 (four days ago) is available at: http://kidstraveldoc.com/are-your-children-at-risk-for-coronavirus-disease/)

1. The latest advice from the CDC. Unless you have been in China in the past few weeks or are presently in contact with someone who recently visited China, the risk of anyone in your family becoming infected with coronavirus illness is at the moment extremely remote, says the US Centers for Disease Control. Watchful waiting is the only reasonable action to take.

2. How do the coronavirus and other viruses spread from person to person? Infected individuals exhale, cough, and sneeze viruses into the air. Generally, viruses can “‘fly” about six feet (two meters), enabling individuals within that area to inhale them. Viruses also land on nearby surfaces. Touching those surfaces transfers viruses to one’s hands. Subsequent touching of one’s mouth and nose allow them to enter the body.

3. Are young children especially at risk? This is a new virus and definite answers are not yet available. However, during previous outbreaks of somewhat similar coronavirus diseases, fewer children than adults were infected and the disease was considerably milder in children. More information on this aspect of the disease will become available as more cases occur.

4. What other information is needed to formulate meaningful control measures? The incubation period is believed to be two to five days, but may be longer. Still unclear are the following: can individuals be infected, show no signs of illness yet spread the virus? Does the virus start spreading in the days before symptoms appear? Does it spread only while symptoms are present or is spread possible after symptoms disappear? Answers should become available within the next week or two.

5. How can I tell whether my child has a cold or the coronavirus disease? Unfortunately, you can’t with certainty. At the onset of these diseases, the symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, fatigue, and fever) are identical. There is no specific treatment for either illness. Cough and cold remedies, mostly antihistamines and dextromethorphan (for coughs), are no longer recommended for children due to occasional side effects. Use appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and relieve aches. However, these medications do not shorten the duration of viral infections.

6. Should parents take children with cold-like illnesses to medical facilities to rule out coronavirus disease? No, says the CDC. As yet, in the US, there has been no reported person-to-person spread. Healthy young children who attend daycare or school average three to five cold-like illnesses per year, mostly in winter months. Moreover, unnecessary visits overburden medical facilities at the very time maintaining efficiency is especially important. Also, medical facilities at this time of year especially are common places to catch colds. If you strongly suspect that your child may have coronavirus disease, call your facility before arrival, allowing them to prepare to isolate you upon arrival.

7. Does wearing a facemask reduce the risk of becoming infected? While such masks have become the hallmark of the coronavirus outbreak, masks offer limited protection. Presently, the CDC does not recommend wearing masks. To be effective, the right type of mask must be worn; many types are available. And masks must fit tightly and be removed correctly, with a fresh mask applied each time. Children especially object to wearing masks. They frequently subvert the efficacy of the mask, by placing their fingers under the mask, for example. Wearing masks is important for individuals dealing with an infected person. The US government has stockpiled facemasks and other supplies necessary to contain epidemics. See below.

8. How can doctors diagnose coronavirus disease? There are no rapid diagnostic tests. Presently, diagnostic testing can be performed only at the CDC laboratory. Tests are not routinely performed. They are done only in cases where there is strong suspicion that the disease is present, generally due to a history of recent travel to China or close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the disease.

9. When will a vaccine be available? Scientists at three different institutions are already working on coronavirus vaccines, says the National Institute of Health (NIH). Vaccine development technology has greatly improved in recent years with rapid response platforms ready and able to speed up the process. However, there are no guarantees of success; each virus is unique and unforeseen problems are common. The most optimistic estimates say a vaccine could become available before the end of the year.

10. Is the government prepared for major epidemics? According to the Washington Post, the U.S. government has several secret storage facilities holding drugs and supplies that are part of a $7 billion Strategic National Stockpile ready to be used in the case of bioterrorism, nuclear attack or an outbreak of an infectious disease. The medical contents of the repository held nationwide would cover more than 31 football fields if laid out.

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