By the sea or in the mountains, as long as it is outdoors. Excursions and walks on the shoreline in less traveled locations, off the beaten track of mass tourism, better than concerts and crowds. It could have these characteristics a ‘estate Covid-proof for the little ones of the house. That of 2022 is the third marked by the pandemic. How is it going for the children, after years marked by lockdowns, Dads and renunciations? “I think it will be a good summer – the pediatrician explains to time.news Salute Gian Vincenzo Zuccottidean of the Faculty of Medicine of the State University of Milan and director of Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Department of Asst Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Vittore Buzzi children’s hospital – a summer that will allow everyone, children and parents, to enjoy their well-deserved holidays “. Provided you follow some golden rules for safe holidays.
In full Omicron 5 wave, infections among the under 18 travel “as in the rest of the population”, highlights the expert. Serious forms? “Nothing important from the point of view of the clinic,” he assures. “Having said that, our behaviors will once again be fundamental to ensure that all this does not undergo changes”, warns the specialist.
Precisely in this spirit, a pediatrician comes to the pediatrician decalogue of anti-Covid behaviors to guarantee children the conditions for a peaceful and, in some way, virus-free summer; and in case of contagion – an event that can never be excluded – to face Sars-CoV-2 with attention and knowledge of the facts, but without unnecessary apprehensions:
1) Avoid crowded places. And in the case of crowded places, the expert indicates, “keep your distance and possibly use a mask”. Yes to dinner or lunch outside, but “prefer restaurants or outdoor meeting places”, if possible.
2) Yes to activities ‘in the light of the sun’. The ideal ‘anti-Covid’ day? “Children can swim and participate in outdoor games or sports”, is the specialist’s recipe.
3) Hygiene. Zuccotti recalls a cornerstone of anti-contagion measures, which cannot be set aside. “Clean your hands often, even using disinfectant gels”, is the recommendation to take even on vacation.
4) The ‘medical’ kit in the suitcase. One rule: “Take antipyretics like paracetamol or ibuprofen on vacation”, suggests Zuccotti.
5) When to swab. Meanwhile, in case of fever, explains the pediatrician, it is necessary “to start administering paracetamol or ibuprofen”. If the fever persists, “it is useful to program the nasopharyngeal swab according to the possibilities of the local health authorities”.
6) Clean nose. “For rhinitis”, Zuccotti points out, “nose washes with frequent physiological solution” are useful.
7) The doctor option. For more complicated pathologies, continues the specialist, it is good to “contact the doctor or the pediatrician in the area for symptomatic therapy”. A warning: “It is not recommended to administer antibiotics without consulting your doctor”.
8) Positive test. “In the event of a positive Covid-19 swab – reports Zuccotti – the child must remain in isolation until its negativization, usually 7-10 days after infection. If the child is vaccinated, the positive period may be shorter” .
9) Antivirals yes or no. “At the moment – the pediatrician points out – there are no specific antiviral drugs registered for minors”.
10) Fragile teenagers. “In the case of an adolescent, over 12 years of age, with risk factors, it is necessary to consider the possibility of using monoclonal antibodies. For this procedure – indicates Zuccotti – contact the nearest hospital in the holiday resort”.