Coronavirus and Your Child’s Sinuses
By Lisa Monroe
Summer is flying by and the back-to-school commercials are hitting the airwaves big time! And if you are a parent, you may be feeling a sense of worry right now because simultaneously the Coronavirus is once again in the headlines, and not for a good reason. Although restrictions have eased up as the vaccine seems to be showing promise, we are now seeing a rise in cases.
Last year when the Coronavirus was sweeping the globe the world took a huge pause. Schools and businesses were closed, and our children were learning remotely in the safety of their own homes.
But this year they are heading back to the classroom! This will actually happen in a few short weeks in certain parts of the country. The jury seems to be out regarding mask wearing, and that decision will likely vary among states and school districts.
To further trigger parental anxiety, there is so much confusion over symptoms. Prior to March of 2020 when we noticed our child sniffle and sneeze, we assumed that they had a cold coming on, and as long as there was no fever, we sent them to school.
If they did have a fever, we had to consider the possibility of a bacterial infection or the flu. But now, any symptoms, no matter how minor, can evoke panic among many a parent. They immediately wonder, “is this the Coronavirus?!”
While kids are less likely than adults to get ill, they may become infected and spread the illness even if they show no signs. Most children do not get seriously ill, but some may require hospitalization or intensive care.
So, let’s dive into how the Coronavirus can affect your child.
The most common symptoms are fever and cough, but others include:
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Stomachache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Body aches
• Loss of appetite
• Skin reactions
• Secondary ear infections
• Secondary bacterial infections
• In rare cases inflammation of major organs such as heart and lungs
How to treat the symptoms:
Since there are many similar symptoms among the common cold, the flu, and the Coronavirus, the treatment recommendations are similar.
• Rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Treat fever and pain with Acetaminophen
• Quarantine for at least 10 days
Steps to take for prevention:
• Wear a mask
• Use good hand hygiene
• Cough or sneeze into the elbow
• Keep distance from others
• Get plenty of sleep
• Eat a healthy diet
• Keep nasal and sinus passages clean, reducing virus and bacteria levels by using a safe, sterile and natural products such as Pressureze Nasal Mist.
A clinical trial conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center concluded that there was decreased viral shedding in patients treated with saline irrigation (which they viewed as both safe and effective).
A high viral load in the nasopharyngeal and oral cavity (area between the nose and back of mouth) are thought by many to be a primary source of infection and viral replication, associated with increased symptoms and higher severity.
So, with the world reopening, including sending your children back to school, it is a good idea to be proactive with your health and the health of your family. As a parent you want to take as many positive steps as you can to keep your children strong and healthy to avoid contracting Coronaviruses like a cold, the flu, or other viral or bacterial infections. Consider making Pressureze Nasal Mist a part of your family’s healthy lifestyle.