It’s hard to stay optimistic with all the troubling news around us. Just when we thought we could celebrate the arrival of vaccines, we were hit with the reality that the previous administration mishandled the rollout, leaving many without access. While the post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases may have plateaued, we now face the threat of rapidly spreading variants. Alarmingly, even children, who are generally at lower risk for COVID-19, are now testing positive more frequently.
I don’t mean to be a harbinger of bad news—believe me, I’m just as frustrated as everyone else. But the facts are hard to ignore.
Recent Data and Rising Cases
Let’s dive into the unfortunate details. Recent data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) indicates a 16% rise in COVID-19 cases among U.S. children. Since the pandemic began, over 2.6 million children in the U.S. have contracted the virus, accounting for approximately 12.7% of total cases. “Children can absolutely be infected with COVID-19, and while they’re less likely to transmit it, they can still spread the virus,” explained Dr. Sarah Thompson, president of the AAP. “As COVID-19 cases surge in communities, the proportion of cases among children will inevitably increase.”
Experts suggest that some of the new variants, especially the ones from the U.K. and South Africa, have mutations that enhance the virus’s ability to attach to ACE2 receptors, allowing it to penetrate children’s respiratory tracts more easily, despite kids generally having fewer of these receptors.
Understanding MIS-C
While children typically experience milder illness from COVID-19, they are not immune. Hundreds of children have been diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C. With the uptick in COVID-19 cases, experts warn that we could see a further rise in MIS-C cases in the coming weeks. Parents should be vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent fever lasting more than three days, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, red or cracked lips, a swollen red tongue, and swollen or reddened hands and feet if their child has been exposed to the virus.
Dr. Anthony Wallace, a leading expert in infectious diseases, emphasized that due to the highly contagious nature of these new variants, we are in a race against time. Vaccination needs to outpace the virus’s spread. Unfortunately, many doctors predict that a vaccine for children may not be available until late 2021.
Protective Measures
Now for the silver lining. We do have measures at our disposal to protect our kids and communities. We can wear masks, maintain social distance, and limit indoor gatherings. It’s critical to stop mingling indoors without masks, especially for those who might share photos of their unmasked weekend outings on social media. And, of course, if you’re eligible, get vaccinated as soon as possible. “It’s essential to get vaccinated quickly because viruses can’t mutate if they don’t replicate,” Dr. Wallace stated during a recent briefing on COVID-19 strategies.
Although the situation is disheartening, if we all do our part, we can reduce transmission rates and create a safer environment for our children, giving them a chance at a near-normal childhood sooner rather than later.
Additional Resources
For more information on home insemination options, check out this blog post. Additionally, Make a Mom provides comprehensive insights on at-home insemination kits. For further guidance on pregnancy-related topics, Women’s Health is an excellent resource.
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- What is MIS-C and its symptoms?
- How can I protect my child from COVID-19?
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- What to know about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids
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Summary:
COVID-19 cases among children are increasing, with a 16% rise reported recently. This uptick is concerning, especially as cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) also rise due to increasing infections. Parents should be vigilant for symptoms of MIS-C and take preventive measures against COVID-19, including vaccination, mask-wearing, and social distancing. Experts emphasize the importance of acting quickly to curb the spread of the virus.
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