It’s been a bit of a relief that the coronavirus outbreak hasn’t affected children and babies as much as it has adults and seniors. But that doesn’t automatically mean that children are any less susceptible to contracting Covid-19 – in fact, their immune systems need constant strengthening against viral infections.
The new coronavirus-linked disease affecting children – should you be worried?
What’s more, recent reports are emerging of a coronavirus-linked illness that has killed three children and afflicted over 70 others globally. The illness is similar to Kawasaki disease, a rare childhood ailment that typically affects children below six years old, and causes inflammation of blood vessels.
The Straits Times reports that while no infected children here have “suffered from serious inflammatory symptoms” (in fact, none have had to be sent to the intensive care unit), “local paediatricians and general practitioners are aware of the inflammatory syndrome overseas and are keeping a lookout for Kawasaki symptoms in children”.
“If their immune systems are strong, they are more likely to develop the antibodies at a faster rate and may recover faster compared with adults,” Dr Leong Choon Kit, a family physician at Mission Medical Clinic in Serangoon tells ST. So if a child develops the Kawasaki syndrome after an infection, it could suggest that his immune system is faulty.
As parents, what can we do to help boost our child’s immunity apart from maintaining sanitation and feeding them well? Here, paediatricians highlight six key ways to can strengthen your child’s health and immunity naturally – without vitamins or supplements.
