More and more children in hospital! How dangerous is Omikron variant for children really?
It’s only been in the last 2 weeks that the world has learned of the corona variant Omikron, which first appeared in South Africa. Now the new variant has already been detected in numerous countries and is spreading at a breathtaking pace. More and more children have to be hospitalized because of the infection. How dangerous is Omikron actually for the children?
Omikron puts the world in a tizzy
It was only two weeks ago that scientists reported the discovery of a new coronavirus variant. At the time, Omikron had emerged in South Africa. Since then, this variant has spread worldwide. No wonder then that the Omikron variant, also known as B.1.1.529, has been classified as “of concern” by the WHO. Since its discovery, scientists from all over the world have been busy collecting data on the new corona variant Omicron. This is urgently needed! Because in South Africa, the number of hospital admissions of children is now increasing dramatically. Especially children under the age of 5 now have to be hospitalized frequently. Apparently, significantly more young children are infected with the Omikron variant than before. But experts warn against panicking. This is because in most cases, the children appear to have a mild course of the disease. One of the reasons for the massive spread of the virus in South Africa could also be due to the low vaccination rate.
Changed Corona Symptoms! Omicron causes flu-like symptoms
However, initial analysis and investigations in South Africa raise concerns. Apparently, due to Omikron, those infected are exhibiting slightly altered Covid 19 symptoms. For example, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, president of the South African Medical Association, has noticed that Omikron young men now complain primarily of fatigue, tiredness, and headaches and aching limbs. Nothing has apparently yet been discovered of loss of smell or taste. For this reason, Ntsakisi Maluleke, a public health specialist, is now warning that flu-like symptoms should not be taken lightly now. “We are now seeing children coming in with moderate to severe symptoms, requiring supplementary oxygen, supportive therapy and having to stay in hospital for several days,” Dr Rudo Mathivha of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto also expresses concern.
These symptoms are most common in children
Now the UK Department of Health is also warning parents of children about the three main symptoms associated with Covid-19. These are said to be fever, persistent cough and loss or change in the sense of smell or taste. In some cases, fatigue, headache, sore throat and loss of appetite have also been observed, he said. “It’s concerning. Something has changed about the virus that is now affecting children under five, and we don’t know what it is,” University College London mathematician and professor of operational research Christina Pagel admits. But whether Omikron is more dangerous than other variants is unlikely to be known for several weeks at the earliest.