"If there is a close contact with or without symptoms. So what is a close contact? Close contact is a person who is positive for covid 19 infection and within 6 weeks we have and encounter. So children with or without symptoms we have to test for covid19"

Fortunately most children with covid 19 infection in the 2nd wave have recovered completely which is good news. What we should remember is that covid 19 should be less virulent and less severe in children and when we compare other infections it is not known to be more severe,. Almost 60 to 70% children do not presents with severe symptoms and it is attributed to teh absence of receptors in the lungs and in the nose of children which are called as the ACE 2 receptors which are the binding receptors in the lungs and also attributed to the particular type of immunity in children called as innate immunity. Also 30% kids have moderate symptoms. Fortunately 2 to 6 % kids, that is 2 to 6 kids per 100 kids develop severe manifestations.

"So if your child has been diagnosed with mild COVID 19 symptoms, you have to ensure that he is hydrated well and you are monitoring the vital parameters and the urine output. So antibiotics are routinely not recommended in children with covid 19 infection paractetamol may be given orally for control of fever. Also you can do sponging with warm water, you can give fruits rich in vitamins A and C that is locally available fruits and vegetables. It is prudent to do teleconsultation with a pediatrician whenever you have any queries and monitor the oxygen saturation with pulse oximeter 3 to 4 times a day and ensure that the oxygen saturation is more than 95%. We should also be aware of the danger signs which will be urgent transport or visits to a hospital. That is high fever lasting for more than 3 days, recurrent vomiting, loose stools, reduced urine output, excessive lethargy or sleepiness in the child, excessive rashes in the body or swelling of the limbs or things like fits or seizures"

"The black fungus has caused a lot of panic recently during the second wave, so what is the black fungus? It is caused by an infection called as the “mucor” which is called as mucormycosis"

"If a family member is covid positive , it is prudent to isolate the family member who is positive enough in a separate room. So both parents are positive and there is no help, then it is better to wear double mask when handling the child and also to keep the house well ventilated and ensure a separate wash room for the child. Clean the high touch areas with soap or with a soap based liquid"

"There is ongoing research worldwide regarding vaccination in children and there are many studies which are in various phases. However we can expect vaccines by this year end or early 2022. We now the Indian vaccine covaxin trials are ongoing for 12 to 18 year old kids and also for 6 to 12 year old kids so we will wait for the results. The covishiled vaccines trial started in February 2021 , but has been halted due to various reasons. So currently in the united states the older kids are being vaccinated with the mRNA vaccines. There is also a new vaccine which is a recombinant nano particle protein based vaccine which is called as covovax which may be available in India by the year end"