In the 5th wave, where the infection of the new corona virus is rapidly expanding, there are a number of cases of parent-child infection. The number of children who are accepted as asymptomatic is increasing rapidly, and the medical center explains that "about 90% of children who are infected and hospitalized".
In the 5th wave, domestic infections are increasing, and there are a number of cases of parent-child transmission.
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center in Fuchu City, Tokyo, which accepts hospitalization for infected children, a total of 641 people were hospitalized during the month of August, the highest number ever.
On the most frequent days, 31 children were hospitalized on 48 beds for corona patients.
According to the medical center, many children have lost their place due to infection and hospitalization and treatment, and "about 90% of children who are infected and hospitalized are in these cases."
There are many mild and asymptomatic children who do not need to be hospitalized and treated, but it is difficult for them to stay at home alone because their parents are hospitalized, so they accept it.
Dr. Hiroho Horikoshi of the Department of Infectious Diseases said, "I don't need medical treatment, but I only see it at the hospital during the infectious period. There are many children who will be hospitalized. If the number of such children increases, the advanced pediatric medicine that can only be done at this center will stop. "
Situations where less urgent surgery has to be postponed
In order to accept the hospitalization of children infected with the new corona, the "Metropolitan Pediatric Comprehensive Medical Center" is responding by diverting 20 beds from a department different from the department in charge of infectious diseases.
In addition, nurses in other clinical departments are also dealing with the new corona, so some of the usual medical care is restricted.
Children with serious illnesses such as the heart and lungs visit the medical center not only in Tokyo but also from all over the country in search of advanced pediatric medical care, but some operations judged to be less urgent have to be postponed. It means that there is no situation.
Dr. Horikoshi said, "We accept children who are difficult to treat as'the last fortress of pediatric medical care'. The big difference from adults is that the number of hospitals that can provide advanced medical care is limited. I would like to accept corona patients as much as possible. It is very difficult to balance because you cannot receive it unless you stop the usual medical treatment. It is important to prepare a saucer to take care of children who are infected and have mild symptoms. "
He added, "Anyway, if we do not reduce the total number of infected people, the infection of children will not decrease. It is important for the whole country to take measures against corona."
Doctor "Be sure to suspect infection with the new corona even with normal cold symptoms"
Schools have reopened in many areas after the summer vacation, but Dr. Horikoshi said, "It is very important not to force people to go to school because they suspect that they are infected with the new coronavirus even if they have normal cold symptoms. That's it. "
According to Dr. Horikoshi, in the case of children with underlying illness, the symptoms may worsen when infected, but many children have almost the same symptoms as normal cold such as coughing, runny nose, fever, and vomiting and diarrhea. is.
Therefore, instead of suspecting infection after the same strong malaise and fever as adults, we want you to suspect the symptoms of a common cold as soon as possible.
If you have any symptoms, it is important to consult a medical institution as soon as possible or to rest at home without going to school.
In addition, Dr. Horikoshi said that there is concern about cases of infection at school, saying, "If you get infected at school, you will always take it home and spread it to your parents and siblings. It's a risk. Schools can be a place where infections can spread, so it's important to take proper measures to minimize damage. "