The majority of children with Omicron can be treated at home, said BKUS specialists, inviting parents to consult their family doctor or pediatrician in remote consultations.
Available global data and the current situation have shown that children with Omicron do not suffer more severely than with the Delta, do not need oxygen support more often and do not get admitted to intensive care units more.
The increasing number of children in hospitals is explained by the fact that, at present, proportionally more children are affected by Covid-19 than in the past, and are often brought in due to parental distress. In addition, some are hospitalized with a different diagnosis and are only found to be Covid-positive later, said the hospital.
BKUS noted that the most common signs of Omicron in children are:
- increased temperature,
- sore throat,
- runny nose,
- fatigue,
- headache.
Children may also have stomach trouble, nausea or stomach pain.
BKUS called on parents not to worry about and, as far as possible, to reassess their child's health status. Fever or elevated temperatures are not dangerous to the child, other signs should be observed.
Children with chronic diseases and all children under the age of one year who are suspected of having a potential infection with Covid-19 should be consulted by a doctor for the assessment of the situation. This consultation can also take place remotely, noted BKUS.
BKUS gives advice by phone 80708866 (working hours between 8:00 and 17:00) and on weekends and holidays by phone 26112887 (working hours between 10:00 and 1:00).
The working hours of the Family Doctors Advisory phone 66016001 are from 17:00 to 8:00, and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.