As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, parents are understandably worried about their newborns getting sick.
Unfortunately, newborns may be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 than other age groups. That is why, if your newborn does show symptoms of COVID-19, there are steps you can take to help them recover.
Here is a guide on what to do if your newborn gets sick with COVID-19.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Coronavirus?
If you are a new parent, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of coronavirus in newborns. Coronavirus can occur in infants, and in some cases, it can be even deadly.
If you notice any of the following symptoms in your baby, seek attention right away.
Symptoms of coronavirus in newborns include fever, chills, Diarrhea or difficulty breathing, poor feeding, and rash.
It is important to get treatment for your child as soon as possible if they are infected with coronavirus because the virus can lead to serious health complications.
Thankfully, there is treatment available for infected infants, and most will make a full recovery.
However, it is important to speak with a pediatrician if you think your child may have coronavirus.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for ensuring the best possible outcome for your child.
When do You need to Take to the Hospital Your Child?
If your newborn has a fever, sneezes, or any of the other symptoms described above, you should talk to your pediatrician and take your baby to the hospital if necessary.
In the hospital, your newborn can get necessary medicines via the neonatal PICC line.
A neonatal PICC line is a peripherally inserted central catheter that is used to give newborns intravenous fluids, medications, and other treatments.
This type of catheter is usually inserted through the baby’s veins in the arm or leg.
The sooner you can get them diagnosed and treated, the better their chances of recovering will be.
How Can You Keep Your Family Safe if Your Newborn Has Symptoms?
If you have a newborn with symptoms, it is important to take steps to keep your family safe.
Although it can be scary to deal with a sick child, there are things you can do to make sure everyone stays healthy.
- Keep your child away from other people as much as possible. This will help minimize the spread of any potential illness.
- Make sure that all family members were masks.
- Frequently sanitize surfaces that your child may come into contact with.
By taking these precautions, you can help protect your family from getting sick.
Can Newborn Who Get COVID-19 Experience Long-Term Effects?
There is a lot of concern about the potential long-term effects of Covid-19 on newborns who contract the virus.
So far, there is limited information available on this topic, but researchers are working to understand the risks and possible complications.
Some early studies suggest that there may be some lasting health effects for these infants, so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms to watch for if your baby contracts Covid-19.
In the meantime, parents whose babies have contracted COVID-19 should talk to their pediatrician about any possible long-term effects.
Conclusion
Although there have only been a limited number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in newborns thus far, it is important for all parents to be aware of these symptoms and what they can do to help their child recover if contracted.
Please share this information with anyone who may need it.
Photo by Isaac Taylor from Pexels
