The return of the wave of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia certainly makes parents very concerned about their children’s health. Indiscriminately, this virus can infect anyone, especially vulnerable groups. For this reason, check with your doctor if symptoms of COVID XBB appear in children.
Indonesian Health Ministry spokesman Mohammad Syahril said the symptoms of this subvariant were not too fatal, but were more contagious than their predecessor i.e. BA. 4 and BA. 5. Therefore, it is not impossible for children to become infected, especially if they do not implement health protocols in public spaces.
Additionally, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have estimated that anyone infected with Omicron can pass it on to others, even if they’ve been vaccinated or have no symptoms.
Symptoms of COVID XBB in children
Since this subvariant is still from the Omicron family, the symptoms that may be felt by children are as follows as cited by Children’s Health:
- Fever with a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Body or muscle aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of sense of taste and smell
- Hard to breathe
- Sore throat
- If the condition worsens, children will experience symptoms such as:
- Chest pain like pressure
- Sleep disorders
- The color of the skin and nails is lighter than usual
- Dehydration, such as chapped lips, dry eyes, and decreased urine volume
How to prevent transmission of Omicron XBB
While it’s often misunderstood as the flu, it’s not wrong to report your child’s condition to the doctor to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Also, complete the dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to maintain the body’s immunity and reduce symptoms if infected.
From an early age, children can be taught to maintain cleanliness and enforce health protocols when away from home, such as the discipline of wearing masks and washing hands with soap. It’s also important to maintain mental health so children don’t get stressed easily or feel sad.
Watch a video “First symptoms of the Omicron XBB subvariant“
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(naf/kna)
