COVID-19 cases are predicted to jump as school's reopen across the nation, leaving many parents wondering how best to care for their child should they become ill.
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The Australian healthcare advice is that most COVID infections can be dealt with at home, however rules like self-isolation when testing positive aren't really an option for young children.
However, parents and carers are still encouraged to wear masks, use disposable gloves and to ensure cups, dishes and other utensils, bedding and towels are not shared with other people.
'High-touch' surfaces such as counters, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables should all be cleaned every day.
Where possible have a different bathroom for the child with COVID to use, and keep them away from other household members as much as possible.
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Health Direct says children with COVID-19 will often have similar symptoms to other viral infections - such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.
A small number may develop other symptoms such as tummy or chest pain, headache, body aches, breathing difficulties or loss of taste or smell.
However, up to half of the children who get COVID-19 have no symptoms at all.
Parents are encouraged to seek medical care if their children are:
- less than three months old
- your child's symptoms seem to be worsening
- your child has a chronic illness and your GP has told you to seek help if your child gets a respiratory or gastrointestinal illness
- you are worried about your child as a parent
- your child's mental health is suffering because of isolation
Parents and carers should use the same general guidelines that they would for other viral infections:
- Children should be dressed in comfortable clothing, to prevent any sweating or shivering.
- Make sure they drink lots of fluids.
- Encourage them to rest and not overdo it.
- Children can also take paracetamol or ibuprofen if they're uncomfortable because of the pain or fever.
- Watch your child for signs that their illness is getting worse.
Warning signs to look out for include:
- prolonged fever (for more than five days)
- difficulty breathing or chest pain
- severe abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- if they're drinking less or passing less than half the amount of urine they usually would
- if they're excessively sleepy or irritable
Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
