Dr. Mohamed Ata Hendaus-Rahal
How to distinguish if your kid has a cold, flu, or COVID-19? The Peninsula talked to an expert on the issue.
Senior Consultant and Senior Attending in Academic General Pediatrics at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Mohamed Ata Hendaus-Rahal said it is very challenging to differentiate between a cold or COVID-19 especially if the symptoms are mild.
Recent studies show that compared with the Delta variant, Omicron is causing milder illness in children.
“The medical management will be almost the same and might include antipyretics and increase in fluid intake. Then, a healthy child can fight the infection. In severe cases, a more comprehensive work up might be warranted, but only in a medical facility,” he explained.
Antipyretics is a substance that reduces fever. Among the common over-the-counter drugs are Panadol, Tylenol, and Ibuprofen.
Taking into account what a parent should do if his child is positive with COVID-19, Dr. Hendaus-Rahal said: “mild to moderate COVID-19 infection can be treated at home with antipyretics and fluid intake.”
He also recommended that members in the household should wear masks and observe frequent hand washing to avoid infection of the whole family.
“In case of respiratory distress, lack of oral intake or looking ill, we recommend seeking medical advice. If the child has chronic diseases, then the specialist physician should be contacted,” he explained.
If the child was diagnosed via an antigen test, Dr. Hendaus-Rahal recommended that the family should notify the authorities and the school for better control of the pandemic.
If the child tested positive and should only require home isolation because of mild symptoms, he recommended the following: for fever, Panadol and Ibuprofen can be taken provided the child doesn’t have allergies to those medications.
Also, normal saline drops or spray to clean the nose in case of runny nose and usage of masks for older children.
Hand sanitizer should be used, social distancing, and the house should have a proper ventilation.
For severe cases and respiratory distress, lack of oral intake or looking ill, “we recommend seeking medical advice.
Recently, Hamad Medical Corporation designated the Al Wakra Pediatric COVID-19 Center in Al Wakra Hospital campus as a treatment facility for children with COVID-19 who require hospital admission.
On January 9, the Ministry of Public Health has approved the administration of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster vaccines for children aged 12 to 15. In May 2021, it approved the COVID-19 vaccines, and data shows that nine out of ten children in the country have received two doses of the vaccine.
Dr. Hendaus-Rahal narrated that high vaccination rates have been associated with less dreaded disease, and vaccines remain an efficient mean towards ending the pandemic.
“Pausing the spread at the source and vaccination remain crucial. Receiving a booster shot will increase the immunity against the Omicron. Regularly used precautions employed since the beginning of the pandemic should be strictly followed.
“These measures include physical distancing, avoiding closed places or crowds, wearing a face mask or face shield, and cleaning hands frequently. By reducing the amount of viral transmissibility, the odds of a new variant emerging are low,” Dr. Hendaus-Rahal concluded.
Dr. Mohamed Ata Hendaus-Rahal is the Chairman of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Deputy Chairperson of the Institutional Board review at Sidra Medicine. He has published numerous studies in reputed journals, and his work has been presented in most prestigious international conferences including the Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, and the Canadian Pediatric Society.
