It is autumn and winter, and respiratory diseases in children are at high risk. If children experience symptoms such as fever and cough, what should parents do? How to reduce the new coronavirus infection of children, especially infants and young children?

It is currently autumn and winter, and respiratory diseases in children are at high risk. If children experience symptoms such as fever and cough, how should parents deal with it? How to reduce the new coronavirus infection of children, especially infants and young children? On December 4, Xu Yi, director of the Internal Medicine Department and director of the Infectious Disease Department of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, answered parents' concerns at the Guangzhou epidemic prevention and control press conference. He said that children are susceptible to the new coronavirus. According to clinical data at home and abroad, most of the cases of infection in children are mainly mild symptoms. Generally, the fever does not last long and returns to normal within 3 to 5 days; other clinical symptoms include cough, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. "By a large number of clinical data, we show that even in the early stages of the new crown epidemic, including the current Omickron strain , children are infected with pneumonia and progressing to severe illness, and have a lower proportion of children who are infected with pneumonia and have progressed to severe illness than adults." Xu Yi said that even if children under 3 years old do not have the coverage of the vaccine , due to the limited area of ​​their activities, the risk of exposure is relatively low. Young parents do not need to be overly anxious, but should take daily protection. As a pediatrician and the father of the child, Xu Yi advises parents as follows: First, in the autumn and winter, in addition to the new coronavirus, there are also some influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus and other viruses that can also cause children to have upper respiratory tract infection with , causing symptoms such as fever and cough. At this time, parents should observe their children's spirit and appetite. If the child's body temperature is not very high and his spirit and appetite are good, they can rest more, drink more water, eat more digestible foods (such as milk), and strengthen close observation; if the child has continuous high fever, accompanied by frequent coughing and vomiting, poor spirits and decreased appetite, seek medical treatment in time. "You can consult through our Internet hospital to get some corresponding suggestions," Xu Yi added. Second, it is recommended that children, especially infants and young children, try to avoid entering high-risk areas, as well as densely populated or closed areas to reduce the risk of exposure. At the same time, parents should also help their children develop good personal hygiene habits, and wash their hands before and after meals, which can also help reduce the risk of exposure. Judging from the incidence of children at home and abroad, the proportion of clustered incidence in children's families is relatively high, up to more than 90%. "This reminds us parents that they can strengthen their own protection through vaccination, build our Great Wall of Immunization and protect the children within our walls." Xu Yi emphasized. Xu Yi said that as a first-tier city, Guangzhou has high-quality pediatric medical resources such as National Regional Medical Center , Zhongshan Medical, Southern Medical, Guangyi , and has also dealt with a series of epidemics such as children's influenza, hand, foot and mouth disease, children's dengue fever , and has accumulated rich clinical treatment experience. "We have the ability and confidence to provide high-quality medical services to the general public."

Source: Guangzhou Epidemic Prevention and Control Press Conference

Editor: Xu Annie