Children suffer only mild COVID-19 symptoms, say experts

Parents advised to not panic but stay vigilant of the child’s health

Addressing the concerns of parents during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts at The Hindu’s webinar as part of the Wellness Series, emphasised that in a majority of cases, children experience only mild symptoms and recover well at home. The webinar titled ‘COVID-19 and Children’, presented by Kauvery Hospital, had three panellists: Janani Sankar, a senior consultant paediatrician at Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital, Chennai; D. Senguttavan, chief consultant paediatrician, and D. Suresh Chelliah, a senior consultant paediatrician, both from Kauvey Hospital in Tiruchi. On worries that children were being more affected during this wave, Dr. Chelliah said that was not the case and children were less affected than adults. “More children are being identified because we are testing more than last year,” he said. Common symptoms, he added, were cough, runny nose, irritability, refusal to eat and fever. “Most children will recover at home but in case of a persisting fever and difficulties in breathing or vomiting, parents must take the child to a doctor,” Dr. Chelliah said.