Yes, they do.
Covid-19 in children
A study of more than 72 thousand Covid-19 cases in China published by the China CDC showed that the 0-9 years old are only 0.9% of the cases, and the 10-19 year-olds are only 1.2 % of the total cases. It is shown in the figure below.
Another good news is that there were no deaths among the 416 cases in the 0-9 years old group.
However, there was 1 death in the 549 cases of 10-19 years old. The death rate for the 10-19 years old group is 0.2%. See below.
The WHO-China Joint Mission Findings on children
Here is a quote, and I highlighted the pertinent ones.
Children
Data on individuals aged 18 years old and under suggest that there is a relatively low attack rate in this age group (2.4% of all reported cases).From available data, and in the absence of results from serologic studies, it is not possible to determine the extent of infection among children, what role
children play in transmission, whether children are less susceptible or if they present differently clinically (i.e. generally milder presentations).The Joint Mission learned that infected children have largely been identified through contact tracing in households of adults.
Of note, people interviewed by the Joint Mission Team could not recall episodes in which transmission occurred from a child to an adult.
The meaning behind the numbers
We should not jump to the conclusion that only a minimal amount of children are infected by the Covid-19.
In the study above, the number of cases among children are small compared to the general population. It could be that the children have mild symptoms; that is why they were not brought to the doctor to be tested.
Therefore a low number does not mean that children are less prone to get the virus.
Asymptomatic carriers can spread the Covid-19
Walking Coronavirus Pneumonia Can Spread the Disease, is an article that described a 10-year old that has viral pneumonia on a chest CT scan and had a positive Covid-19 test.
The worrying thing about the 10-year old above is that he did not have any symptoms, even with Covid-19 pneumonia. He is an asymptomatic carrier.
A study has shown that asymptomatic carriers can have as many Covid-19 viruses in their nose and throat, just like another person with the full-blown symptoms of Covid-19 pneumonia.
That means asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 are as infectious as the ones who are obviously sick.
Children can potentially spread Covid-19. In the WHO investigation, there were no reports of children spreading it to adults. But those reports were based on interviews.
As of yet, there are no definitive studies that show that children cannot infect others with Covid-19.
It is excellent news that children have shown good outcomes and mild symptoms when they have the virus. However, some precautions are in order.
The vulnerable population
Going back to the study above, the ≥80 age group has the highest death rate at 14.8% when they get sick with the Covid-19. Retirees have a death rate of 5.1%.
Patients with other medical problems had much higher death rates when they get the Covid-19—10.5% for those with cardiovascular disease, 7.3% for diabetes, 6.3% for chronic respiratory disease, 6.0% for hypertension, and 5.6% for cancer.
That is why it is dangerous for any of the vulnerable people to have the Covid-19. They can die.
What precaution should be observed?
- The CDC recommends that sick children should avoid sick people. They can infect them with Covid-19 and other viruses.
- If children are sick. Call their pediatricians for advice.
Feel free to share. Don’t miss an article. Subscribe for free with your email. It is on the right side.
Don’t Get Sick!
Related reads:
© 2018 – 2020 Asclepiades Medicine, LLC All Rights Reserved
DrJesseSantiano.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment