COVID-19_infection

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Parent Advice Sheet

COVID-19 Infection

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COVID-19 is caused by a corona virus (called SARS-CoV-2)  Most people who have COVID-19 will have a mild illness - Similar to a cold or flu - And get better on their own  Some people get a more severe chest infection Infection in children  Most children who have COVID-19 do not get as sick as adults - Some show no signs of infection at all  Some children can become more unwell, especially those with: - Chronic heart, lung or neurological problems - Obesity - Younger children may have difficulty breathing and reduced feeding.

CO = VI = D = 19=

Corona Virus Disease 2019

You need to check your child regularly, and follow the advice below.

Call an ambulance if your child has any of these:     

Blue lips Pauses in breathing Is struggling to breathe Is pale, or is cool to touch Is very floppy, sleepy or difficult to wake

See a doctor TODAY if your child has any of the following:

       

Is working hard to breathe Breathing faster Has chest pain that doesn’t go away with pain relief Pain or swelling in the legs Looks more unwell or sick Drinking less than half their usual fluids Passing urine less than twice a day Seems to be getting worse or if you are worried

Call 111 for an ambulance Tell them that your child has COVID

Your child needs to be reviewed today Call 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 687647) If you are still concerned: go to your local Emergency Dept Tell them that your child has COVID

If none of the features above are present:

 

Stay home and isolate as instructed If you need further advice: - Call 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 687647) - interpreters are available Or call your GP

Your child can be cared for at home

See the next pages for symptoms of infection and advice regarding care at home, recovery, and vaccination.

COVID-19 HELPLINE: 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 687 647)

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Symptoms of infection After infection, symptoms can start 5-14 days later.

Symptoms of COVID-19 infection in children can include: - Fever - Runny nose - Sore throat - Cough - Difficulty breathing - Tiredness, irritability - Headaches - Body aches - Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain - Loss of appetite - Loss of smell, or change in sense of taste Symptoms usually last for 2 – 7 days.

These symptoms are also common in other illnesses, like colds and flu.

They do not necessarily mean you or your child has COVID-19.

Spreading the virus You or your child can pass the virus to others before you know you have it.

(Up to 2 days before there are any symptoms.)

It is common for COVID-19 to spread in a household.

The risk of spreading and catching COVID-19 is higher in: - enclosed spaces that do not have good airflow - crowded places with many people nearby - close-contact settings (such as close-range conversations, singing or shouting)

Care at home: What you can do to help HYDRATION and REST  Encourage fluids  Give extra breastfeeds or formula bottles to babies under six months old  Let your child rest

TREATING THE FEVER     

Treating your child’s fever will not help treat the COVID-19 infection more quickly The only advantage of lowering a fever is to ease your child’s discomfort If your child seems well and is happy, there is no need to treat a fever You do not need to regularly measure your child’s temperature Things you can do to lower a fever:  You can undress your child leaving a singlet and nappy on  Keep the room temperature normal  Try wiping your child’s forehead with a sponge or facecloth soaked in warm water to help cool them down × Cold baths or showers are NOT recommended

COVID-19 HELPLINE: 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 687 647)

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PAIN OR DISCOMFORT  Children with COVID-19 who have fever are often very uncomfortable/upset  Give Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen to help keep your child comfortable

STOPPING SPREAD  Wash your hands often and thoroughly  Keep your child away from other people while unwell  Teach your child to cough/sneeze into their elbow, or cover their mouth with a sleeve  When your child coughs, sneezes, or blows their nose:  Use disposable tissues. After use, put tissues directly into a rubbish bin or bag until you find a rubbish bin  Wash child’s hands (or use hand gel) straight afterwards  Keep a physical distance from others, where able  Clean all shared areas often (bathrooms, tables, sink etc)

ISOLATION    

Your child must isolate at home as directed by Ministry of Health advice Reassure your child that they are safe Only 1-2 caregivers can have close contact (hugs and cuddles) with your child Try to reduce close contact between your child (and their caregivers) and all other people at home. (Especially if they are elderly or have other medical problems)  Create a plan as a whānau – what will you do if you or someone else in your whānau also needs to isolate?

Recovery The symptoms of COVID-19 may last for several days.  If you are worried or think your child is getting worse, call the helpline number on this sheet  If the fever has lasted more than five days, call the helpline for advice  If your child has not recovered after 14 days, please see your GP. They may have long Covid

Returning to day-care, kura or school Health staff will tell you when your child’s isolation period is over.

Your child will likely be able to return to day-care, kura or school, when:  Their ISOLATION period is over  Fevers have settled, and all other symptoms are fully resolved  She/he is feeding normally  She/he has no difficulty in breathing After recovering: If - in the next 6 weeks - your child: has a FEVER LASTING MORE THAN 48 hours (2 days) or is unwell and you are worried about them Take them to see a doctor Tell them your child has had COVID-19 recently

COVID-19 HELPLINE: 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 687 647)

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Vaccination / immunisation Why do we immunise?

Immunisation protects your child  These diseases can cause serious (and sometimes fatal) illnesses to our children  AND we have effective immunisations available against them It also protects those most at risk from these diseases  This includes babies who are too young for immunisation  And children with weakened immune systems  These babies and children rely on those around them being immunised

Funded vaccines against the following diseases are available for children in Aotearoa New Zealand Chickenpox (varicella) COVID-19 Diphtheria Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hepatitis B Human papillomavirus (HPV) Measles Mumps Pneumococcal disease Polio Rubella Tetanus Whooping cough (pertussis)

See KidsHealth.org.nz for more details on these specific illnesses and immunisations.

COVID-19 Vaccination All children over 5 years should be vaccinated against COVID-19  Even if your child has had a COVID-19 infection, they still need vaccination to be fully protected  This can be started 4 weeks after a COVID-19 illness or positive test  You can book your vaccine together as a whānau/family

Influenza Vaccination All children 4 years or under, who have had a COVID-19 infection:  Are eligible to have the seasonal influenza (“Flu”) vaccination  They can have this free every year, until they turn 5

Flu vaccine: (For children under 5)

Contact your GP to book this.

Helpline: 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 687647) Available 24 hours, 7 days a week COVID-19 HELPLINE: 0800 OUR MIQ (0800 Children’s 687 647) Emergency Department Interpreters available Version 1.3 Februray 2022