Study warns: children are "super silent spreaders" of "Corona"

A new study shows that children are "silent super-spreaders" of "Covid-19", and can carry more amounts of the virus than adults, yet they do not show any symptoms.

The results are based on the ENT and blood samples of nearly 200 sick young children, in the United States.

Lead stomach steward, Dr. Lyle Juncker, of Massachusetts General Hospital, said: “I was surprised by the high levels of virus that we found in children of all ages, especially in the first two days of infection. I did not expect the viral load to be so high. I was thinking of a hospital, and of all. Precautions taken to treat critically ill adults, however, the viral loads of these hospitalized patients are much lower than a "healthy child", who wanders with a high viral load of SARS-CoV-2.

Even when children show symptoms like fever, runny nose, and cough, they often overlap with the flu and colds. Juncker explained that this confuses the accurate diagnosis of "Covid-19".

The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, showed that children are playing a greater role in the epidemic than was feared. It was the most comprehensive of its kind so far, housing 192 infants, children and young people up to the age of 22.

It turned out that the infected participants had a much higher level of the virus in their airways, compared to adults. What is worrisome is that the spread of the virus, or its transmissibility, increases according to the amount carried by an individual.

The study also examined the antibody responses of healthy children and those with "Covid-19" or associated organ disorders called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

Professor Alessio Fasano, the lead author of the study, and a world-famous pediatrician in Massachusetts, said: “Children are not immune to this infection, and their symptoms are not related to exposure and infection. During the“ Covid-19 ”pandemic, we mainly examined symptomatic cases. Therefore, we reached the wrong conclusion that the vast majority of those infected are adults. However, our results show that children are not protected from this virus. We should not exclude children as potential spreaders of this virus. "

The researchers pointed out that children with "Covid-19" are not as likely to develop serious diseases as adults. But as carriers go to school without symptoms, they can spread the infection and transmit the virus to homes.

This is of particular concern to families in some socio-economic groups, which have been hard hit by the epidemic. It also applies to multi-generational families who have vulnerable elderly people in the same household.

In the study, half (51%) of children with Covid-19 came from low-income communities - compared to 2% of those with high incomes.

Although younger children have fewer numbers of virus receptors, compared to older individuals and adults, this is not associated with a lower viral load, which means that they may be more contagious.

The researchers said MIS-C is potentially life-threatening, can develop in children several weeks after injury, and may lead to serious heart problems, shock, and acute heart failure.

Professor Fasano said, "This is a serious complication as a result of the immune response to the" Covid-19 "infection, and the number of these patients is increasing. As is the case with adults with these very serious systemic complications, the heart appears to be the preferred organ for the immune response to target. Covid-19.

Dr Juncker explained that understanding these immune responses is critical for developing drugs and vaccines.

The research team stresses the importance of social distancing, the global use of masks, effective handwashing protocols, and a combination of distance and personal learning.

They said routine and continuous examination of all students, with timely reporting of results, is a necessary part of the safe return to school policy.

"This study provides much-needed facts for policymakers to make the best possible decisions for schools, daycare centers, and other institutions that serve children," said Professor Fasano.

The researchers concluded by saying: "If schools reopen completely without the necessary precautions, children are likely to play a greater role in this epidemic."

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