Keeping up with pediatric care can be tough, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. Everyone is doing their best to keep their children safe during this time, but it’s completely normal for parents to have questions about pediatric care during this time. Here are some of the most common questions about pediatric care and COVID-19.
What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19 in Kids? And How Do They Differ From the Cold or Flu?
Symptoms of COVID-19 in kids include fever, chills, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, the loss of taste or smell, and a sore throat. The biggest difference between COVID-19 symptoms and flu or cold symptoms is that the flu and colds do not cause kids to lose their sense of taste and smell.
If your child has lost their sense of smell and/or taste, call a pediatrician and ask them what your next steps should be. You can call the Pediatrix staff and ask any questions you may have about your child’s symptoms.
What Are the Risk Factors For Serious Cases of COVID-19 In Kids?
COVID-19 impacts everyone differently, but kids can risk getting a more serious case if they are under the age of two, were born prematurely, and/or are obese or have a chronic lung disease. If your child has a severe health issue, your pediatrician should help you come up with a plan in case your child becomes infected. Pediatricians can also give you the best advice on how to keep your child safe during the pandemic.
How Susceptible Are Babies to COVID-19?
COVID-19 can impact anyone at any age, including babies. Around 11% of patients with COVID-19 are children. It’s also possible for newborns to get the virus, but it’s rare. It’s also important to note that a majority of COVID-19 cases in children result in milder cases. Following COVID-19 guidelines greatly reduces the chance of children getting COVID-19. If you have questions about kids care during the pandemic, you can contact a pediatrician at Pediatrix for advice.
Is it Safe to Take My Child to the Pediatrician During COVID-19?
Yes, you can still take your child to the pediatrician and get well checks for kids during COVID-19. However, it’s important to call your pediatrician ahead of time and know what their COVID policies are. For instance, at Pediatrix, masks are required at both offices. The offices have plenty of space and social distancing is required. A conscious effort is being made to limit cross-traffic between ‘sick’ and ‘well’ patients, and COVID-19 testing is only being performed outside the Black Canyon office. Telemedicine office visits are also available for patients exposed to or with COVID-19 symptoms, or flu-like symptoms.
Should Children Receive Routine Vaccines During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Yes, it’s important that your child still receives routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Talk to your pediatrician about how to coordinate their routine vaccinations. You’ll likely need to schedule them out ahead of time to adhere to the office’s guidelines.
It can be tough to monitor and schedule pediatric care outside of a pandemic. After all, people at a higher risk of getting a more severe case of the flu include children up through the age of 5 and adults over the age of 65. You may wonder what you need to do to keep your child’s pediatric care up-to-date during this time. Feel free to call Pediatrix to schedule your child’s next appointment and keep them as healthy as possible.
