"Kids With Covid Mostly Asymptomatic But...": Health Ministry Observations

VK Paul said some children who get Covid have reported pneumonia-like symptoms. In some cases, a multi-inflammatory syndrome has been found among children who recently recovered from C0VID19

Cases of Covid in children are being keenly observed, the Union health ministry indicated today amid speculation about a third wave possibly targeting them. Dr VK Paul, chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration, today said while most children who contract the disease are asymptomatic, in some cases the virus can affect them in two ways. "In the first, they have reported pneumonia-like symptoms. In second, some cases of a multi-inflammatory syndrome has been found among children who recently recovered from C0VID19," he said. Explaining the second situation, he said in very rare cases, six weeks after recovery from Covid, some children get fever again, along with rashes and vomiting, he said. "We are observing this. Our doctors and paediatricians are well-trained to handle these post-Covid symptoms," he added. Children, he said, are generally asymptomatic. "They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal or nil. The infection has not taken serious shape in children," he said. The government has dismissed the possibility of Covid affecting children, but Dr Paul admitted the possibility of the virus changing its behaviour in view of the second wave. While the first Covid wave had mainly targetted the elderly, the second wave took a toll on the younger population.