Beware of epidemics in children! Unusual symptoms of COVID-19 could cause a respiratory crisis! Pediatrics: Croup, cough and hoarse voice should not be ignored

Although the serious cases of the COVID-19 disease in children have dropped significantly, pediatricians remind us that with the arrival of autumn and winter, outpatient clinics have received find out that school-age children are almost the main source of infection at home If there are elderly people grandparents, or babies and young children at home, For the second and third finances, children must be vaccinated to h – complete so they don’t become virus carriers.

Dr. Ji Xin, director of the Department of Pediatrics at Mackay Memorial Hospital, said there has been no significant increase in clinical cases of COVID-19 since school started in September, however, with the fall respiratory disease season and winter is approaching, however. and the epidemic of COVID-19 in Europe and the United States is already on the rise, It shows that mutant strains of the virus have immune escape characteristics, and that the protective power of old vaccines has gone usually down, the status of virus infection in Taiwan and abroad is different about 2 to 3 months, but as more and more people go abroad, special attention must be paid to the new coronavirus. common pneumonia again in autumn and winter.

The new coronavirus vaccine can be given at the same time as flu vaccines and five in one

Dr. Ji Xin explained that the severe cases of COVID-19 are mostly in people over 65 years old, but in fact, babies may have chronic diseases such as poor lung function, cerebral palsy, congenital heart and young children a few months old. disease, etc. Children with weakened immune systems are still a high-risk group. Dr. Ji Xin said that judging from the current type of virus, severe cases in children do not become conditions like MIS-C (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children), but It’s still important to remember that infections can still cause breathing problems. , and severe cases There are risks of intubation and even complications of encephalitis. Dr. Ji Xin emphasized that the course of the disease in children will be faster and it will be obvious in an abnormal condition If swelling, hoarseness, or swelling of the throat occurs, special attention must be paid to early vaccination as a way to prevent put on

In October, the latest JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine was launched at the same time as the influenza vaccine Many parents have asked if they still need to get the COVID-19 vaccine if they have previously received. Dr. Ji Xin pointed out that the immunity provided by the vaccine will decrease over time Judging from the characteristics of the new corona virus, it will change in 3 to 6 months because the immune escape characteristics at the virus, even if you were vaccinated or infected, In fact, there are almost no antibodies now, so I have to get vaccinated with the latest new crown vaccine JN.1.

Dr. Ji Xin said that the COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine. As long as it is not a cold or fever emergency, children can receive the vaccine at the same time as other routine vaccines such as flu, five-in-one. , Japanese encephalitis, and pneumococcal vaccine. Regarding the side effects parents are concerned about, Dr. Ji Xin explained that fever and fatigue may occur within 48 hours after vaccination, but recovery will take more than 2 to 3 days. Current vaccines are adjusted the dose according to children by changing The advanced tools are rare.

1/3 of the sources of infection at home come from children

It is currently impossible to predict whether the risk of community infections will increase in October Dr Ji Xin explained that although there are not many children who are seriously ill now, there are cases in hospital still due to COVID-19 along with other diseases In addition, children do not have oral antiviral drugs to treat them It is mainly used to treat symptoms that have never been vaccinated -against COVID-19 need to strengthen the defense.

Dr. Ji Xin also reminded that a third of the current channels for watching the new coronavirus disease are brought home by school-aged children. Children themselves may have mild symptoms, but symptoms may harder on the elderly or babies at home. Kindergartens and schools are almost the main places where the virus spreads, we ask children to be vaccinated with the latest JN.1 vaccine, but also to remind them of a good job to prevent an epidemic is to wash hands often and wear masks.