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It is understandable that parents are concerned about what would happen if their baby were to take COVID-19. Babies can be considered vulnerable due to immature immune systems, nor are they eligible for most of the treatments and vaccines available for older children and adults.
The good news is that most babies suffer from mild illness. Here’s what to expect if your baby is positive.
Can I protect my baby if I have COVID-19?
If the test is positive and you have a baby or a baby at home, there are some protective measures you can take. These include washing your hands before paying attention and wearing a mask when breastfeeding or in close contact. Current evidence suggests that COVID-19 cannot be transmitted through breast milk.
It is still very important to continue breastfeeding (if you already do) and there is no need to separate the mother and baby.
Transmission of older siblings and other close contacts can also be reduced with vaccination. Vaccination of parents and caregivers will also reduce their chances of serious illness, thus minimizing the risks and disruptions for both mother and baby.
What do I do if my baby has symptoms of a cold or fever?
Testing your baby is similar to testing yourself. Babies can often do PCR tests at the same test site, or you can use a rapid antigen test (RAT).
If you are using a RAT, it is important to check that it is for the correct age group, as not all RATs can be used in children. It will tell the package if it is suitable. If not, ask your pharmacist for the correct test for your child’s age.
It is also important to follow the specific instructions for the test you have purchased, as not all of them will be the same.
COVID-19 is usually mild in infants
During the pandemic, children of all ages were less likely to develop serious illnesses compared to adults. The likelihood of serious illness also appears to be lower with omicron compared to earlier variants, although transmission of later variants has been higher.
Based on our clinical experience and international research, babies with COVID-19 have suffered mostly from mild illnesses. The need for hospitalization or intensive care is extremely rare. Babies may be at higher risk if they are premature or have another underlying serious illness or condition. Studies describing COVID-19 in newborns show that, similar to other respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV, deaths are very rare.
A number of immune differences have been proposed in newborns to explain why babies tend to suffer from less serious illnesses. Although there is no vaccine for babies, antibodies are transferred from mothers who have been vaccinated during pregnancy to newborns, which can provide protection.
What symptoms do babies usually have?
Babies may experience a number of symptoms when they have COVID-19 that is typical of other respiratory viruses. Up to 25% of babies may have no symptoms.
Fever, nasal congestion, difficulty eating, and cough are the most common symptoms.
Shortness of breath, lethargy, and persistent fever may be signs of serious illness.
How do you treat it?
You can give your baby paracetamol or ibuprofen if there is a fever or discomfort, and drops of saline can relieve congestion. If you are considering giving medication to a baby under three months, consult your GP.
When should I seek medical advice?
Talk to your doctor if your baby has any of the following:
- difficulty breathing
- persistent fever
- feeding difficulties that affect hydration or cause less than 50% of the normal number of diapers.
It is important to note that any fever in a newborn up to three months of age requires a medical examination, regardless of whether the baby has COVID.
Should I know anything else?
Especially when we enter winter, it is also important to protect yourself from other common circulating viruses that can affect babies, such as the flu. Infants older than six months can get the flu shot.
Vaccinating Mothers During Pregnancy Protects Their Babies from COVID Provided by The Conversation
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Citation: COVID-19 in Babies: What to Expect (2022, May 26) Retrieved May 26, 2022 from
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