{"id":212508,"date":"2021-02-11T12:54:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T10:54:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents-blog\/?p=212508"},"modified":"2022-06-04T20:19:42","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T18:19:42","slug":"is-it-just-a-cold-or-corona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/parenting\/covid-19-kids-families\/is-it-just-a-cold-or-corona\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it Just a Cold, or is it Corona?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many times I have parents who tell me they are sure their child has just a cold. What is more alarming is that many of them have gone to school with this so-called just a cold. Either they bring their child to me for symptom relief or their conscience gets the better of them and they start thinking about COVID. School screening questionnaires don\u2019t seem to pick out these sniffing children and I suspect many of the children or parents have downplayed their symptoms when asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dilemma<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n

I am quick to do COVID swabs on all patients with even mild respiratory symptoms and although the majority have been negative, some of the least likely candidates have been positive for COVID. Parents then need to explain to the school and other contacts that their child went to school with “just a cold” symptoms and have now put other children and teachers at risk. It\u2019s a horrible situation to be in.<\/span><\/p>\n

I understand the dilemma. We are brought up with the rule that one needs to be really sick to miss work or school. We live in a culture with excellent work ethic which frowns on absenteeism. Our children have missed out on so much school that we don\u2019t want them to miss more opportunities. I get it.<\/span><\/p>\n

But its a pandemic- and not just a cold!<\/span><\/h3>\n

But here\u2019s the thing. We are living in a pandemic! We are trying to contain a virus. One of COVID\u2019s sneakiest features is that it can present in so many different ways- from asymptomatic; to a mild sore throat; to runny nose; to only a fever; to no fever but a headache and post nasal drip; to abdominal pain plus\/minus diarrhoea; to dry cough, to more obviously severe symptoms like shortness of breath and everything in between! When it comes to respiratory illness, it\u2019s very hard to rule COVID out on symptoms alone..<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay home even if it’s just a cold<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Keep your children home when they are ill. By the same token, Stay home when you are ill. Even if it seems really mild and crazy to miss work or school. Either go for a COVID swab or give it a few days to pass. It\u2019s hard to test everyone with a runny nose but if your \u201ccold\u201d has resolved you are unlikely to be infectious. Don\u2019t go back to school\/work while symptomatic. Ask your GP advice on whether you need a COVID test and how long to stay home. <\/span><\/p>\n

Change your mindset<\/span><\/h2>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to change our mindsets. We sanitise, social distance and wear masks. May we include a new mindset change – to stay home even when we think it\u2019s just the common cold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: If you enjoyed this article, and would like to stay updated with more, you can:<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n