Precautions You Should Take At Home If Your Child Has Covid-19

The Covid-19 virus, which continues to spread by increasing its speed every day in the world and in our country, is now more common in children. Although it is thought that the gradual transition to face-to-face education and the easier infection of the mutant virus are effective in catching children as well, clear data proving these assumptions are not yet available.

Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Pediatrics Specialist Dr. Ülkü Tıraş pointed out that children who are positive for Covid-19 should be monitored at home and said, “Infected children should not be sent to school, their progress should be monitored at home. His fever should be checked at regular intervals; have a high fever, diarrhea, cough or breathing problem zamA health institution should be consulted without delay.” says. Well, what should we do at home and what should we avoid for the health of both our children and adults at home? Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Ülkü Tıraş talked about the precautions we should take at home; made important suggestions and warnings.

Try to watch in a separate room

In Covid-19 infection, contagiousness begins 2 days before clinical findings develop. Therefore, with the onset of symptoms in your child, the virus is usually transmitted to other individuals in the house during the PCR test. If you have not been infected by the time of diagnosis, try to monitor your child in quarantine runs in one room as much as possible. You should definitely tell him about this process and mention the importance of protection. However, in a home environment, it is not possible for the child to remain isolated in a room like adults. Because he cannot take care of himself and see his needs alone, his isolation becomes difficult at this point. Since we cannot isolate the child, the contagiousness of the virus is much more than the adults at home. For this reason, it is very important for adults to protect themselves.

Double-wear a mask while you're with it

Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Ülkü Tıraş said, “If your child is over 2 years old and you can wear a mask, it will be very useful. You should definitely change the mask you use every 4-6 hours or when it gets wet,” he says, adding: “However, children should not wear a mask. zamWe want adults to wear it, as it's a little harder for them to have a moment. Therefore, make sure to walk around the house with a mask. You should wear a double mask when you are with your child and make it a habit to change your mask every 4-6 hours or immediately when it gets wet.

Clean the bathroom after every use

Be careful in common areas at home. For example, if you have a separate toilet and bathroom, let your child use these areas alone. After using the toilet and bathroom; Never neglect to clean the sink, toilet, shower area, fountain faucets and floor surfaces.

Ventilate the house regularly

Ventilation of indoor spaces is of particular importance in this process. Therefore, pay attention to the renewal of the air in the house. It is very important that you air your home for 3 minutes at least 4-10 times a day.

Change pillows and linens often

Continue to change the bed linen belonging to your child and you every 3 days, and to change the pillow covers every day, and to wash them in the machine at at least 60 degrees. His bed must be separate, not sleep with you. If possible, someone else should not use your child's materials. His fork and knife must also belong to him. It is useful to choose disposable and disposable materials. It is also extremely important that you disinfect your clothes and towels by ironing.

If he has no appetite, feed him / her favorite foods

A strong immune system against Covid-19 infection is very important. Therefore, in addition to a healthy diet, your child should continue with vitamin supplements if recommended by the physician. “We do not have a special nutritional advice for children who are positive for Covid-19. However, it is beneficial to have a diet rich in vitamin C and take regular vitamin D supplements. " Dr. Ülkü Thür continues with her suggestions as follows: “Children may lack appetite, especially when they are sick. During this period, you should try to maintain your child's nutrition by turning to the foods that he likes more. If there is a serious appetite problem, it may sometimes need to be fed through a vein. "

Turn PCR testing into a game

Almost all of us know that the PCR test is irritating. Dr. “If you turn this process into a game with sentences like“ They will touch the nose and throat with cotton and your nose will be tickled, the uncertainty for your child before the test will disappear a little more ”, says Ülkü Thür, so that he will not be afraid of the PCR test.

Can shake their inner world

Children of all age groups caught in Covid -19 experience anxiety and stress. For example, children do not understand why they should be isolated at home or inpatient because most of them have no symptoms or develop mild symptoms. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Expert Psychologist Duygu Kodak stated that each age group evaluates this process from a different perspective and said, “Coronavirus can cause stress, anxiety or fear in all age groups in children. So talk to your child who is caught with Covid-19 and listen carefully. Observe if their behavior and habits are getting worse. If necessary, get professional help ”and explains how to follow a way for children to go through this process in a healthy way:

Communicate with games, drawings and charts

Almost every child knows what it feels like to have a cold or flu. So you can say that people can get sick from coronavirus and should stay home just like with the flu. You can use play therapy, drawings, and charts to explain the virus or the importance of being in quarantine.

Give the message "I'm with you, I'm here"

Children between the ages of 19 and 3 who are infected with Covid-6 can develop problems such as bedwetting behaviors, anxiety due to fear of separation from their parents or caregivers. There may also be tantrums or trouble sleeping. In order to prevent these problems, make them feel that you understand your child's feelings, that you are with them whenever they need them, and give the message "I am with you and I am here" so that they do not worry any more.

Support them to share their feelings

Infected children between the ages of 7-10 may not be able to make realistic evaluations and collect small information from television, peers and family conversations. They can feel sad, angry or scared at what they hear. In addition, relatives of some children are being treated in the hospital, some may lose their relatives due to infection. This situation can lead to more fear and anger. Therefore, it is very important that you correct your child's erroneous information about Covid-19. Talk to him about it, and be supportive to share his feelings and thoughts with you.