Treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in children

Abstract

Children as such have less infection and less severe covid 19 illness. Majority will be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. Symptoms are nonspecific and suspect in children presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI) or children presenting with respiratory difficulty. Children with definite contact with COVID-positive patients or those who had severe illness (irrespective of COVID status) in the past 2 weeks should be subjected to test. The rest of the children may be tested if any of the following are present: 1. The presence of high-risk factor in child such as immunocompromised condition (long-term steroids, cancer chemotherapy, biological agents, and primary or secondary immune deficiency) or chronic illnesses including chronic respiratory illnesses 2. Any person in family who is at risk of developing serious illness (elderly, immunocompromised, diabetic, hypertensive, etc.,). Majority of mild to moderate illness can be managed at home with symptomatic treatment ensuring monitoring for worsening of symptoms. There is no proven benefit of antibiotics, antiviral agents, steroids, hydroxychloroquine or other anti-inflammatory agents.