08/09/2021
CoVID19 cases have tripled from 4% at the end of July to now 13.7% in children in Houston!
In our group of patients:
May, June, July - 1 family per month tested positive.
August - average of 2 families per DAY testing positive.
Methods of transmission include:
- camp transmission in the late elementary to middle school ages
- several cases of Grandparents and Parents who are vaccinated (mostly J&J, but some pfizer and at least one Moderna) coming down with mild cases of CoVID19 and passing along the virus to the children.
- Parents who are non-vaccinated catching CoVID19, becoming sick and passing it to their children.
We have not seen young children passing the virus to each other in daycare settings. Although RSV, croup, hand foot mouth, Flu B (despite vaccination last fall) and the common cold have been circulating through daycares currently.
We also have NOT seen cases spreading through swim lessons, small music classes and other private sports lessons.
TCH Weekly virus tracking report:
https://pathology.texaschildrens.org/catalog/Docs/WeeklyNewsletter.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2QECvInnswuL1ggSzhYJZlvaPBz1kdXVE692otS_hKNYHlVLzP4zBJiPI
What does this mean?
- Wear a mask if you are 7 years and older while indoors in public settings as much as possible even if you are vaccinated.
- If you cannot wear a mask (inside a restaurant while eating) space out by 6 feet.
- The best masks are surgical masks that fit properly (cover nose and mouth and stay in place). N95 are too restrictive for children on a regular basis and will cause CO2 rebreathing.
- If using a fabric mask, one layer should be filter material (Filti).
- Consider skipping camp if the camp does not require or provide testing procedures.
- Daycare and pre-school are safe for young children to continue and provide important social skill development opportunities that must occur during the developmental window of opportunity at 2-5 years of age. Mask wearing is not necessary for very young children while at preschool. Care providers at preschools should resume mask wearing even if they are vaccinated.
- Ask your school aged children, especially 7 years and older to wear a surgical mask at school.
- Teens who are vaccinated should wear a mask at school.
- If you are vaccinated and you have a close exposure, you must test yourself at Day 3-5 to ensure you did not catch the virus.
- Rapid tests (Binax) are now available over the counter at pharmacies for home testing. They are 80% accurate, so if you test negative, re-test in 2-3 days.
- Consider a vitamin regimen:
Probiotics - Biogaia or Culturelle for kids
Vit C 250mg per day for children < 6 years old, 500mg for > 6yo
Zinc - 7mg for 6yo *
Vitamin D - 600 IU for children 6yo
* Airborne Tablets for adults contain Vit C and Zinc. They can easily be cut into quarters and given in a drink.
1/4 tablet for children < 6 years old
1/2 tablet for 6-11 years old
full tablet for 12 yr and older.
Do not give directly into the mouth - drop into a beverage.
Please contact your own doctor for specific medical advice.
This information is general information based upon CDC recommendations and other published scientific data.
