Although there have been young patients of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus has virtually left the children untouched. Both mercy and a mystery that virologists believe may help unlock the secret behind how the virus works and possibly help save the world.
Spare the Children
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 2.4% of the confirmed cases in China, the epicenter of the virus, were children. In comparison, only 0.2% of these cases were children that got critically ill.
However, the same WHO report has proven that the virus is deadly to elderly patients over the age of 80, with a fatality rate of 21.9%.
Another study has also shown a fatality rate of only 0.2% of patients from ages 10 to 39. The study used 44,672 confirmed COVID-19 cases to draw the conclusion, which further backs up the claims that the virus is sparing the young ones.
Besides the lower risk of fatality, severe symptoms are also almost non-existent among children.
"With respiratory infections like this, we usually see a U-shaped curve on who gets hits hardest. Young children at one end of the U because their immune systems aren't yet developed and old people at the other end because their immune systems grow weaker," said a virologist from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Vineet Menachery to The Washington Post.
A Mystery to Unfold
Aside from the new coronavirus, its nearest cousin, SARS, also seemed to behave this way and mercifully sparing the children during the outbreak in 2002.
A pediatric infectious disease specialist from the Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Frank Esper, believes that knowing the reason behind this particular mystery of the coronavirus can help us understand its behavior.
There have been theories surrounding this case, saying that children have already been heavily exposed to the four milder coronaviruses all year round, so it gave them stronger immunity.
However, many oppose the theory, saying that the adults catch the same virus as well and that children often have weaker and weak immunity, which should make them more vulnerable to the viral pathogen.
Are Children Really Safe?
Nevertheless, many epidemiologists believe otherwise, saying that the mild symptoms mask the rate at which children are getting infected. If that they are tested, many children would have already contracted the disease.
With that, parents are advised to talk about the novel coronavirus to their children.
According to an interview by FOX News, the chief clinical officer of Newport Academy, Barbara Nosal, parents should get ahead of the rumors and advise both their young kids and teenagers to exercise proper hygiene and healthier practices.
Frequent hand washing, eating healthy, enough sleep, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, and mouth are safe practices against COVID-19. For now, Nosal also advised that parents should try to warn kids about sharing food and drinks with their classmates.
She also added that children take cues from adults, so parents should manage their fears and anxiety so their children can avoid panicking as well. Provide them with facts, despite their young age, to give them security and comfort, which is extremely important.
