There has been a surge in complaints of cold, cough, sore throat and fever among others in children. Some of these symptoms of seasonal illnesses are similar to Covid-19 which is making parents panic. Covid-19 and flu may have varying degrees of symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain, body ache, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea (especially in children). The flu virus may cause mild to severe illness including above-mentioned symptoms. Covid-19 symptoms which differ from flu may include loss of taste or smell. Doctors are of the opinion that there is no full-proof way besides Covid-19 test to differentiate between Covid-19-related fever and the common flu as nothing can be concluded from symptoms alone.
“We all are going through unprecedented times of Covid-19 pandemic. With unlock, people have started moving out and gradually adapting to the new normal. However, it is also time for other seasonal illnesses in particular influenza to spread as per their natural course. Influenza in India typically peaks around the rainy and winter season and this time with Covid-19 around, dual infections are expected to be serious especially for those with comorbidities. Also, patients who have had moderate Covid-19 would be at more risk in case they catch seasonal flu,” asserts Dr Vikas Taneja, HOD Paediatric at HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, Delhi.
WHO has advised following all the precautions of social distancing, mask and sanitisation as it will also protect against the seasonal flu. Dr Vikas adds that since a vaccine for influenza is available, it is advisable especially for children and those over 60 years. The protective efficacy of the influenza vaccine is around 60% but it is expected to reduce the intensity of disease particularly for post-Covid patients. Moreover, another theory being proposed is that the influenza vaccine, by protecting the vulnerable group, would also indirectly affect the spread of coronavirus.
Most healthy children catch between eight and ten colds or other viral infections in the first two years of life. Symptoms may last for up to 10 days and sometimes longer. If the child is in daycare, he or she may get sick even more often since he is in close contact with several other little ones, says Dr Kavita Gohil, Paediatrician at Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai. She adds that it shouldn’t be a cause of worry as most colds go away on their own and in a way getting sick helps build the immune system in the long run. The frequency of cases of flu and cold gets lesser as the child gets older. Allergy is many a time difficult to differentiate from cold and flu and it’s best to consult a paediatrician to manage its symptoms. There is no way to differentiate between Covid-19 related fever and common flu.
A preventive vaccine exists for the flu. “Vaccination is most important because it saves the child from infectious and communicable diseases. In the winters, it is important to get flu vaccines as well — flu is likely to become more severe due to Covid-19. Vaccination is more critical for children below 2 years as it helps them to grow immunity against the diseases they’ve been vaccinated against,” informs Dr Meena J., consultant, Paediatrics & Neonatology at Aakash Healthcare & Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi.
The aim should be to cover all relevant population so that no one is affected or dies due to vaccine-preventable diseases. “The contagious nature of the pandemic forced regular vaccination to stall. This may have affected the development of immunity against cholera, measles, meningitis, polio, tetanus and typhoid to mention a few in thousands of children. It is important to maintain scheduled vaccination. Stay in touch with the paediatrician and ensure that your child can access Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT), Polio, Pneumococcal Conjugate and Rotavirus vaccines as scheduled — at 6-week, 10-week and 14-week after birth. For newborns, it is advisable to get them vaccinated with the initial set of vaccinations, BCG, oral polio and Hepatitis-B, at the maternity ward,” maintains Dr Meena. If you are going to get the vaccines after being released from the hospital, take necessary precautions, maintain hand hygiene and social distancing and consume nutritional food. Ensure the baby is exclusively breastfed as per guidelines.
Dr K.N. Harsha, lead consultant– Pediatrician and Pediatric Intensivist at Aster RV Hospital, Bengaluru, points out, “During the colder seasons, the most common illnesses that children tend to have are viral illnesses and mosquito-borne diseases. Children could also develop common-cold or flu-like symptoms caused by cold weather but normally these go away on their own. However, persistent high fever, unexplained and prolonged fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and ear pain should not be ignored.” He also advises to watch out for symptoms where the child is having trouble breathing, as this could be a sign of pneumonia or streptococcal throat infection. Dr K.N. Harsha suggests these preventive measures: wash fruits, vegetables and meat thoroughly before cooking; ensure that the child has a strong immunity by giving a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as encourage them to exercise daily and avoid eating outside food, especially street food.
SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF CATCHING COLD AND FLU
1. Eat well, it is important to exercise prevention against disease and illness all year long not just at certain times of the year. Ensuring a healthy diet is one way towards improving their immune system.
2. Ensure a good intake of water. We hear this a lot but it doesn’t lessen its importance. By ensuring good hydration and plenty of rest, the child is protected from all manners of sickness.
3. Children often cough and sneeze without covering their nose and mouth and touch their face or mouth with dirty hands. The more they wash their hands with soap and water and not just before meals less likely viruses will have a chance to spread. Sneezing or coughing into a tissue or their elbow and not into their hands can be taught to children.
4. Avoid sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils with someone who has a cold can also be explained to older children.
5. Using a hand sanitiser can be taught to children since it is an effective measure to prevent spread.
6. Cold germs can linger on frequently touched surfaces like door handles and toys among others. Cleaning these frequently would also be a protective step.
7. Though not applicable in lockdown period, keeping a sick child home and away from daycare or school also helps in preventing its spread.
8. Vaccination plays a crucial role including both regular vaccines and seasonal flu vaccines.
—By Dr Kavita Gohil, Paediatrician at Zen Multispeciality Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai.
