COVID-19: Experts recommend throat gargle sample test for children

If the suggestions of a 13-member knowledgeable committee headed by heart specialist Devi Prasad Shetty are applied by the State authorities, detection of COVID-19 will simply be a throat gargle away for children.

In its interim report submitted to the federal government, the committee, arrange by the State authorities for help in controlling an imminent third wave, has really helpful that throat gargle samples can be utilized to detect COVID-19 in children aged 6-14.

“It is difficult to collect the throat swabs in children. A study published by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also revealed that throat gargle lavage may be a feasible alternative to swabs for sample collection for the detection of SARS-CoV-2,” Dr. Shetty advised The Hindu on Sunday.

Confirming that the committee has submitted its interim report back to the federal government, Dr. Shetty mentioned the virus was predominantly more likely to goal children probably the most throughout the third wave since most adults could already be contaminated or immunised by the point it arrives. “As of now, we do not have the required infrastructure to handle paediatric cases. Instead of scrambling at the last moment, it is better to be prepared,” he mentioned.

Estimating that almost 3.4 lakh children aged as much as 18 years had been more likely to be hit by the height of the third wave within the State, the committee has really helpful a slew of measures to fight the doable third wave.

Sources within the committee mentioned the demand for paediatric beds at peak degree throughout the third wave was more likely to contact 23,804 in hospitals. “While 6,801 ICU/HDU beds may be required to treat the infected children, 43,358 COVID Care Centre beds will also be required,” one supply mentioned.

A special problem

The committee has highlighted that managing children with COVID-19 in an ICU is totally completely different to dealing with grownup sufferers. “Adults can take care of themselves, provided they are given the required support such as oxygen supply. However, children cannot be left alone with the nurses and doctors. There is a need for a separate treatment protocol for children and it may be necessary to allow a parent to stay with the child in the ICU,” one of many members identified.

P.G. Girish, Director of Medical Education and member-secretary of the committee, mentioned authorities medical schools have already got paediatric departments and paediatric ICUs. “As experts are predicting that children are likely to be worst hit during the third wave, we have started work on strengthening and upgrading our paediatric departments, paediatric ICUs, and neonatology ICUs in all medical college hospitals.”

He mentioned the present high-end ventilators procured throughout the first and second waves may very well be adjusted for paediatric use. “There is not much of a difference, except for the size of consumables and circuits. However, neonatology ventilators cannot be used for both children and adults,” he defined.

C.N. Manjunath, nodal officer of labs and testing within the State’s COVID-19 job drive, mentioned with the third wave anticipated in October-November, it’s extremely really helpful that vaccination for children ought to start on the earliest within the State. “Other countries have already started vaccinating children; it is better to vaccinate all children between 12 and 18,” he mentioned.

Besides, the dad and mom of school-going children from Class I to 10 ought to be vaccinated on precedence to forestall transmission from dad and mom to children. A sero survey in children ought to be achieved to know what’s the share of publicity amongst children, he added.