Family health: Coronavirus COVID-19 see them for a few weeks.
It would be hard not to write about the virus COVID-19 this month. It is a challenge for parents to sift through the hype to find the facts. Uncertainty is a fertile environment for myths and speculation.
It is important not to panic. Your child can only get infected if they come into close contact with someone with novel coronavirus who has symptoms of infection (cough, difficulty in breathing or fever).
Close contact is defined as being within two metres of that person for 15 minutes or more. People without symptoms do not appear to transmit infection to others.
Less than two in every 100 cases diagnosed in China have been in children and infection appears to be milder in children than it is in adults, although we do not yet understand exactly why this is the case.
The incubation period for this new virus is up to 14 days. So if your child develops a new persistent cough or fever over 38 they should self isolate at home. Do not take them to the GP surgery. If they are becoming more unwell or you are worried call NHS 111. Reassure children that their grandparents are ok, but it is best that they stay at home and not
In the unlikely case that children need to be tested, explain the situation to them in ways they can comprehend and that will not alarm them, e.g: “the test is for a tiny germ so small you can’t see it. We don’t think that it will make you very poorly but we don’t want it to spread to other people”. Reassure them that underneath the funny outfits and masks, the testers are just normal people.Until results are known you must “self-isolate“ at home.
We need to temper fear with reason, panic with patience and uncertainty with education. As adults and parents, we need to set the example to children, not to panic, be fearful, suspicious, reactionary and self-interested. There is much to learn about viral infections. They have been part of our history and they will be part of our future.
Dr Mark Bridgman Hadleigh Lodge Surgery
www.thehadleighpractice.nhs.uk
This is a changing situation and for latest information and guidance it is best to check NHS and Government websites (see page 16).
To check your eligibility for a FREE safe and well visit, go to dw
re.org.uk/safe-and-well-visits or FREEPHONE 0800 038 2323
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