Caring for tamariki with Covid-19

Sound medical advice for children with Covid from Colleen Bowring, our wonderful Director of Nursing. Find out about signs of an unwell child with Covid through to caring for them here.

As winter takes hold, more of us are getting respiratory infections, including Covid-19. Unsurprisingly, our school and kindy age kids are at risk too. We’re seeing lots of cases of Covid in kids. Naturally, parents get worried when kids get sick. Rest assured, you can do simple things that really help when caring for tamariki with Covid at home.

First and foremost, if little ones are at all unwell, keep them home from school or daycare to prevent spreading sickness to others.

Keep up hygiene measures like frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitiser to reduce the spread between household members.

Covid -19 symptoms in children

Confusingly, lots of respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms, but the most common ones for Covid-19 in children are:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Headache or sore tummy
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Aching muscles
• Upset tummy, Diarrhoea

If you think your tamariki may have Covid-19, do a Rapid Antigen Test, as this helps you know what you are treating. Also, remember to report the result on My Covid Record | Ministry of Health NZ.

Because by registering, you will receive the information and help you may need to care for your whānau at this time.

Caring for tamariki with Covid-19

Be reassured that although you may feel stressed about a Covid-19 positive result, looking after your child safely at home is likely to be similar to times they’ve had other viral illnesses.

Five ways to help you care for Covid positive tamariki at home

1: Keep a record: For a start, keep a record of your child’s symptoms and watch for changes in their condition. Record their temperature, how much they drink and when they pass water. Another tip is to write down the times you give paracetamol or ibuprofen.This will help you ensure you are giving safe dosages.

2: Drink and Food: Most importantly, encourage tamariki to have regular drinks.

Our top 5 tips on kids nutrition while caring for tamariki who are ill with Covid:

• Water or diluted apple juice is good, while lemonade ice blocks are tasty and cooling.
• We also really like Pediatric Elecrotye drinks such as Pedialyte as it really does help to rehydrate our little ones – you can get it in raspberry, lemonade and peach mango, so there are some yummy flavours that go down a treat!
• Breastfeed babies regularly as this keeps them well hydrated and it is also comforting.
• However, fizzy drinks are not so good at this time and may unsettle little tummies.
• Don’t worry if your child does not eat much. Sometimes some clear soup and bread or slices of apple or cucumber may be the most they feel up to.

3: Temperature:  Additionally, keep an eye on their temperature. If your child is feverish, don’t dress them too warmly and give them paracetamol or ibuprofen. They may be tired and need extra naps. In kids, a temperature with Covid is common. Anything over 38 degrees is considered a fever, but you can find out more details about fevers here.

4: Vomiting: Moreover, some children vomit as a symptom of Covid. Remember to give small amounts of water frequently, or again, a lemonade ice block is helpful to encourage fluids. However, if you are concerned that your child is dehydrated, contact your doctor or Healthline for advice. Watching out for wet nappies is an important indicator for babies and toddlers.

5: Finally, it is worth remembering that for most children, Covid symptoms are relatively mild and usually last 4 to 5 days.

One of the best things we can do to protect our tamariki and indeed all our whānau is to get kids over five vaccinated. Vaccination helps to protect them from severe illness.

How to recognise signs of an unwell child with Covid-19

• Drinking less than half the normal amount
• Difficulty breathing (breathing hard or fast)
• Pain not relieved by Pamol or ibuprofen
• Very lethargic or sleepy
• Severe tummy pain, chest pain or headache
• Fever lasting for more than seven days

Seeking medical advice for a child with Covid-19

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, contact us at Botany Junction or ring Healthline for overnight medical advice for kids with Covid.

However, in an emergency, dial 111.

Sometimes we all need a little extra information and reassurance. Fortunately, there are lots of great resources out there. We like this video from our friends at Starship.

Caring for your Child with Covid-19 by Starship Children’s Hospital

Always remember that at Highbrook, we are here to help you – especially while you are caring for an unwell child with signs of Covid-19. Please ring our friendly customer services team. They will ensure you get a callback or the help you need for Covid symptoms in kids.