Nearly a third of Florida children taking a coronavirus test are positive — and no one knows why
Has this been posted?
Seems there is still a lot that is unknown regarding children and transmission.
"The Florida figures complicate research whether children are, in fact,
less susceptible to contracting the virus, which had been previously posited in numerous studies across several countries.
"That's a really high number," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Insider. "It's a concern that translates into curiosity. We need an elaborate understanding of what that number means."
The data, on its face, is incomplete. It's unclear whether only high-risk children with symptoms were tested, or if the figure also includes children with no known exposure who were tested, for example, to gain admittance to camp or another organized program."
"The Florida Department of Health didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
"A major question mark at this time — with regard to children and the coronavirus — is whether or not young people who have COVID-19 spread the disease with ease. It's a pressing concern as states decide if — and how — to
safely reopen schools in the fall.
"How penetrate is this virus is in our hot spots to our children?" Dr. Schaffner said. "This is something we don't know yet. We don't have a good handle on this." "
More detail at link.
ETA I am posting below the CDC info and links re children and Covid.
What we know about MIS-C
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes
COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. MIS-C can be serious, even deadly, but most children who were diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care.
What to do if you think your child is sick with MIS-C
Contact your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if your child is showing symptoms of MIS-C:
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Neck pain
- Rash
- Bloodshot eyes
- Feeling extra tired
Be aware that not all children will have all the same symptoms.
Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or other concerning signs:
- Trouble breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest that does not go away
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
- Severe abdominal pain
How doctors will care for your child
Doctors may do certain tests to look for inflammation or other signs of disease. These tests might include:
- Blood tests
- Chest x-ray
- Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram)
- Abdominal ultrasound
Doctors may provide supportive care for symptoms (medicine and/or fluids to make your child feel better) and may use various medicines to treat inflammation. Most children who become ill with MIS-C will need to be treated in the hospital. Some will need to be treated in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).
Parents or caregivers who have concerns about their child’s health, including concerns about
COVID-19 or MIS-C, should call a pediatrician or other healthcare provider immediately. Healthcare providers can follow
CDC recommendations to keep children and their parents or caregivers safe if an in-person visit is needed.
What we don’t know about MIS-C
CDC is still learning about MIS-C and how it affects children, so we don’t know why some children have gotten sick with MIS-C and others have not. We also do not know if children with certain health conditions are more likely to get MIS-C. These are among the many questions CDC is working to try to understand.
All CDC recommendations are based on the best data and science available at the time, and we will update them as we learn more.
How to protect your child from COVID-19
Based on what we know now about MIS-C, the best way you can protect your child is by taking everyday actions to
prevent your child and the entire household from getting the virus that causes COVID-19.
Additional Resources
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Page last reviewed: May 20, 2020
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