There is a common belief that children are less susceptible to COVID-19. Young people do seem less vulnerable to serious consequences of the infection compared to older adults. But that doesn’t mean they are immune to complications.
COVID-19 Killed More Youngsters Than Any Other Infection:
An international team of analysts reviewed US mortality statistics from August 2021 to July 2022 (JAMA Network Open, Jan. 30, 2023). During that year, COVID-19 ranked fifth in disease-related deaths among Americans age 0 to 19. The coronavirus caused more deaths among kids than any other infection. The investigators point out that we should still be trying to limit transmission of COVID-19 cases among children. It continues be a serious health problem and likely will remain so.
Early Indicators of Coronavirus Infections in Kids:
As the fall 2020 school year began, a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics raised red flags (American Academy of Pediatrics & Children’s Hospital Association, Aug. 6, 2020). State level data demonstrated that COVID-19 cases among children rose by 90% during July 2020. Epidemiologists counted 500 cases in every 100,000 kids.
Which States Had the Most COVID-19 Cases Among Children?
The states with the largest increase in COVID-19 cases among children at that time were California and Florida. Overall, 9% of total cases have been in youngsters. Fewer than 1% of all coronavirus-caused deaths were children. However, COVID-19 caused 2% of all childhood deaths, even when accidents are included in the analysis. Moreover, we don’t yet know what the long-term consequences of COVID-19 cases among children may be. A few children suffer serious complications, termed Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children or MIS-C. Children with MIS-C have problems with inflammation in their hearts, kidneys, digestive tract, eyes or other organs several weeks after recovering from a case of COVID-19.
Kids Can Spread Virus:
In addition, children can readily transmit the virus. Older children appear to be as efficient at this as adults. Washing hands, avoiding crowds, maintaining distance and wearing face masks are just as important for them. Very young children carry even more viral material in their noses and throats than adults do (JAMA Pediatrics, July 30, 2020). As every parent knows, getting youngsters under five to cover their sneezes and coughs and wash their hands is a challenge. So if the infection gets a foothold in a preschool or elementary school, you can expect COVID-19 cases among children to increase.
