Coronavirus can attack anyone, including children. There are even conditions where a child tested positive for COVID-19 even though both parents are negative.
Children infected with COVID-19 can do self-isolation at home. However, of course, while doing self-isolation at home it must be done with the applicable provisions.
According to the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), there are several requirements for self-isolation in children, including:
- The child has COVID-19 without symptoms or asymptomatic
- The child has mild COVID-19 symptoms, 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 in the house has good ventilation
So, what should parents do to take care of children infected with the Coronavirus? Here are some tips for caring for a child who is positive for COVID-19:
- Make sure one of the parents is not or is at low risk of being infected with the Coronavirus
Before doing self-isolation on children, make sure parents have confirmed their health conditions. Because IDAI allows children to do self-isolation, as long as one of the parents is not infected with the Coronavirus. The reason is that parents can take care of their child's self-isolation safely. If both parents are positive for COVID-19, the child can be cared for by another family who is negative for COVID-19.
- Sleep separately
If the baby cannot sleep alone, make sure the child sleeps on a separate bed from the parents and maintains a minimum distance of 2 meters between the child's bed and the parent's bed.
This is important because splashing saliva while sleeping is at risk of becoming a medium for transmitting the Coronavirus.
- Wash hands before and after interacting with children
Coronavirus is a virus that is easily transmitted through phlegm or saliva splashes on body parts. Therefore, make sure you always wash your hands before and after interacting with children who are exposed to COVID-19
They should also be reminded to wash their hands frequently to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
- Monitor the child's symptoms
Make sure you always check the symptoms your child experiences every day and try to do a body examination in the morning and evening.
Record any changes or symptoms that appear in your child every day so you can continue to ensure the child's health condition.
- Give support
Provide psychological support that can encourage your child. Always make sure the child takes the medicines given and also make sure the child always eats nutritious food so that his body can be stronger in fighting the Coronavirus.
Those are the conditions and some tips you must do when your child is exposed to COVID-19.
Always make sure to take care of your family's health to avoid various diseases.