If you complete the NHS online form for COVID-19 symptoms ad answered positively to either having a temperature or a new consistent cough, then you will be directed to self-isolate for 7 days. interesting, you cannot complete the form for children under the age of 5.
The coronavirus pandemic has a vice-like grip on the world, but seemed to be causing critical illness in the elderly and sparing the children. The virus is thought to have originated in China, and due to this, the journal Pediatrics was able to release a study on 2143 young people of the first recorded cases in juniors. This insight into the spread of the virus can help educate the rest of the world to understand and limit the spread.
The good news was the study confirmed the infection is less severe in children. With nearly 95% having mild, moderate or no symptoms.
- 4% of those who tested positive had no symptoms at all.
- 52% were mild with typical cold symptoms of fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
- 39% were moderate with pneumonia and frequent fever, cough, and wheezing.
- 5% were severe cases and 0.4% required critical care with acute respiratory distress or organ dysfunction.
What is worrying is the rate children could spread the disease despite not showing symptoms, a major influence in the decision to close schools in the UK due to the coronavirus outbreak.
This range of symptoms is why the Governments are urging self-isolation, but in most cases Calpol and rest should be a suitable treatment. While the NHS are urging people to not call 111 or 999 unless an emergency, you must call if you are struggling to breathe.
