Is It a Cold, the Flu, or Covid?
December is prime time for seasonal respiratory viruses. As a parent, are you ready to identify the health concerns surrounding your child and other family members from cold, flu, or Covid-19? We’re here to help.
Returning to School and Sports with COVID-19
School and sports participation contribute to the social, intellectual, and physical development of children. They’re important parts of growing up. However, COVID-19 and the desire to avoid infection is likely at the top of your mind as schools all over the country resume operations as normally as possible.
Getting your child ready has new challenges this year in light of the COVID-19 crisis. It requires a balance of what you feel, what you know, and what your community requires as you guide your child through the process.
Staying safe in school and sports always requires a multi-faceted approach, but this year even more so. In this blog, Smita Tandon, MD, of Dr 2 Kids offers guidelines on how you can help your child go back to school safely.
Returning to school
Your child’s return to school and sports depends in large part on your community and school board. If sports programs are postponed, for instance, you can delay decisions about your child’s participation.
Likewise, if your child’s school offers a choice between in-person and online learning, you’ll need to weigh your family’s situation. Remote learning may require supervision on your part, which may be difficult if you’re returning to work or other routines.
Medical considerations
COVID-19 has already had an impact on children’s health in general, since the quarantines and shelter-in-place orders have delayed regular medical care for many kids. Many school districts require physical examinations before children are allowed to attend class or participate in sports.
Regardless of your child’s school or sports situation, Dr. Tandon recommends maintaining annual wellness exams. Social distancing may mean that your child’s appointments could initially be telehealth-based to avoid unnecessary community contact. However, that’s typically decided on a case-by-case basis.
If your child has missed one or more regular vaccinations, an in-person visit is essential. Since the rate of immunizations is down overall, your child may have a higher chance of being exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. Keeping an updated immunization record can help your child stay well.
The responsibility to report
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 means acknowledging suspected symptoms, seeking testing, and isolating from the community when the disease is active. A lot is still not understood about the virus and its symptoms, making quarantines necessary until a reliable vaccine is formulated. So make sure your child knows that if they feel unwell, they should report it.
The good news is that the current information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that children don’t get the disease as easily as adults can, nor do they experience symptoms as severely if they get it.
If you have any concerns related to COVID-19, or if you need other medical advice related to your child, we can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Dr 2 Kids today.
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