Coronavirus and Babies: What You Need to Know
With Coronavirus (COVID-19) dominating the headlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — especially as a new parent. Not only do you have to stay on top of feeding, sleeping, and pooping schedules - you now have to consider how to keep your baby and entire family safe from a new virus. A virus that the world is just starting to understand. What is your baby’s real Coronavirus risk?
Here's What You Need to Know:
- To date, Coronavirus in babies is significantly less severe versus older populations.
- According to the CDC, COVID-19 afflicted babies generally have mild, cold-like symptoms, such as a fever, runny nose, and a dry cough.
- Have the whole family frequently wash their hands, mask up, socially distance, and disinfect surfaces.
- Keep your immune system strong by getting good sleep, exercising, not smoking, and keeping stress to a minimum.
- Zinc, selenium, iron, folate, beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E all help the body fight off pathogens.
Coronavirus Appears Less Severe for Babies
To date, Coronavirus in babies is significantly less severe versus older populations. According to the CDC, COVID-19 afflicted babies generally have mild, cold-like symptoms, such as a fever, runny nose, and a dry cough. (1)
In fact, a review of tens of thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China revealed that there were no deaths under age 10. (2) This seems to indicate that babies with coronavirus have a much stronger defense than the rest of the population. So while the virus is a serious issue, you can find comfort in knowing that your baby will probably fare better than most in your household, even though their immune system is still developing. Still, any measure to prevent coronavirus exposure for you and your baby should be taken, such as hand washing and avoiding large crowds.
While scientists are still determining why this is the case, one theory is that a child’s less mature immune system is an advantage. An adult’s immune system has decades of experience identifying and fighting infections. This helps the immune system quickly mount a robust defense - but sometimes this inflammatory response is too much. (3)
Below are a couple things you can do to minimize infection: