Due to the pandemic, there has been no face-to-face education for a long time, and classes have been continued with online education. Parents are both excited and worried as schools will switch to face-to-face education. Stating that there may be an increase in allergy symptoms with the opening of schools, Istanbul Okan University Hospital Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akcay explained. What are the differences between allergy and coronavirus symptoms? What are the symptoms of allergies and asthma? What should children pay attention to at school to protect themselves from coronavirus?
Allergy and asthma symptoms may flare up
Children will start school after a long break. Influenza infections are common in the first semester of school. In addition, children with allergies and asthma may exacerbate symptoms; Your child may be exposed to triggers. Your child may be exposed to triggers at school that he avoids while at home. You can visit your child's school and take action by identifying potential triggers. It would be helpful to inform your child's school administration and teachers about your child's asthma and allergies. However, you need to know that your child's allergies and asthma need to be treated. Asthma that is not well managed can cause permanent damage.
Poorly managed allergies can negatively affect school success.
Allergic diseases in children are quite common and this prevalence is increasing day by day. The severity of allergies can vary from person to person, and allergies that are not well-managed; reduces the quality of life, which may also affect school success. In children with allergic rhinitis, symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, fatigue, headache, sneezing, watery eyes and itching can prevent attention and concentration. In addition, these symptoms can also reduce your child's activity and energy during the day, as they can impair the quality of sleep. It is helpful to work with an allergist to manage and treat your child's allergy well.
What should children pay attention to at school to protect themselves from coronavirus?
In addition to the school administration and families, children also have a responsibility to take measures to protect themselves from the coronavirus in schools. First of all, it is important to inform your children that social distance, mask use and hand cleaning are very important. Train and practice your child how to use the mask. Teach him to put on and take off his mask without touching the fabric side of the mask. Keep a spare mask with your child and instruct them not to touch or wear the mask of others.
Allergic Kids Need to Be Extra Careful
In children with allergic rhinitis, symptoms such as watery eyes, itching, sneezing, runny nose and itchy nose are seen. Your child may constantly bring his hand to his face and eyes, and this may pose a risk for the transmission of the coronavirus. Warn your child not to touch his nose, eyes and face frequently.
Hand hygiene is very important
It will be helpful to inform your child about washing their hands frequently. You can practice hand washing with your child at home. Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Tell your child to wash their hands before and after eating, after sneezing, coughing, or after touching something. In cases where soap and water are not always available, advise him to use hand sanitizer.
Clean and disinfect
Whether your child is studying at home or school, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can help reduce the risk of illness. This includes frequently touched items such as doorknobs, faucets, keyboards, tablets and phones.
It is important to ventilate the classrooms. Cleaning the classrooms with cleaning materials that do not contain chlorine, have no odor or have little or no chlorine will be beneficial for children with allergic diseases. The lungs and noses of children with allergic diseases are sensitive and can be affected by odors very easily. It may be beneficial to clean toilets and sinks with cleaning materials containing chlorine, especially in the evening. Because the smell of cleaning materials containing chlorine can cause worsening, especially in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis, cleaning and ventilating the required areas with chlorine cleaning materials in the evening may be beneficial to reduce odors until the morning.
Your children should have their vaccinations
It is beneficial for children to be vaccinated against the regular influenza flu. Because the symptoms of flu infections can be similar to the symptoms of coronavirus infection, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. Especially during this period, children and people in the risk group should have the flu vaccine.
Coronavirus vaccine should also be given
Recently, Biontech vaccine has been started to be given to children in our country. In our country, vaccination against coronavirus has started for children over the age of 15 and over the age of 12 with chronic diseases. It is also very important for your children to be vaccinated. As a result of the researches, it was concluded that the vaccine is extremely protective in children aged 12-15 years.
Children with asthma should have the coronavirus vaccine
It is highly recommended that your child over 12 years of age who has chronic asthma should also be vaccinated.
What are the differences between allergy and coronavirus symptoms?
Allergy symptoms and coronavirus symptoms can be confused with each other. Fever, cough, sore throat are common symptoms of coronavirus. In allergic rhinitis, symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose are at the forefront.
Symptoms such as fever, headache and muscle pain seen in coronavirus are not among the allergic symptoms.
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