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Managing COVID19 if you are Positive!

1) Be prepared! Click here

2) See this Checklist for what you would need

3) If you are diagnosed as having COVID-19, you must isolate at home and follow these advice here. You can also watch this helpful video regarding isolation and this video regarding how to best manage your symptoms. There is this amazing guide covering everything on Home Isolation called Whanau HQ.

4) If you do not hear from your local public health unit within 24 hours of receiving your positive result, please call the COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5443 (24 hours, 7 days per week).

MANAGING YOUR SYMPTOMS:

Mild or no symptoms:

  • It is important to stay hydrated- drink plenty of water and/or rehydration fluids e.g. from your pharmacy
  •  Keep monitoring your symptoms so you notice any changes
  • It is important to avoid running, strenuous exercise and high impact activities

Moderate to severe infection is when when:

  • You have new or worse trouble breathing
  • Your symptoms are getting worse
  • You start getting better and then get worse
  • You have symptoms of severe dehydration such as
            – Having a very dry mouth
            – Passing only a little urine (pee)
            – Feeling very light-headed

You should Phone the COVID-19 Healthline if you have the above moderate-severe symptoms and call 111 if you:

  • Have severe trouble breathing or severe chest pain
  • Are confused or not thinking clearly
  • Feel faint or pass out (lose consciousness)

Overview of COVID-19 Symptoms & Medication advice for children

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It can affect your lungs, airways and other organs.

If children do catch COVID-19, they mostly have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all but some children with Omicron can suffer more gastric symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea as well as the following symptoms that adults get:

  • sneezing and runny nose
  • a new or worsening cough
  • sore throat
  • a fever of at least 38 degrees Celsius
  • shortness of breath
  • temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
  • headache
  • muscle pain or body aches

The following medications can help reduce the severity of your tamaiti/riki’s symptoms, should they experience any.

Pamol (Paracetamol):

  • Pamol is used for pain relief in children.
  • The dose your tamaiti/riki requires is dependent on their current weight – if you need to, you can use a Pamol dosage calculator by visiting the following link: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/tools/p/paracetamol-dose-calculator/
  • Pamol should be administered every 4-6 hours (3 to 4 times a day) (please always refer to the directions on the medication package).
  • Paracetamol can be safely given to babies and children to treat different types of pain, including headaches and sore throats (typical symptoms of Omicron/COVID-19).
  • Paracetamol is also used to treat fever, but mild fever does not need to be treated unless it is causing discomfort
  • For more information regarding what Pamol (i.e., what it is, how to prepare and administer it) please visit the following link: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/p/paracetamol-children/

You can give Paracetamol and Ibuprofen together at the directed dosages for 2-3 days if required to treat symptoms.

Brufen (Ibuprofen):

  • Brufen is used to help reduce fever (temperature over 38.5°C) and if your tamaiti/riki are miserable.
  • The dose your tamaiti/riki requires is dependent on their current weight – if you need to, you can use a Brufen dosage calculator by visiting the following link: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/tools/i/ibuprofen-paediatric-dose-calculator/
  • Brufen should be administered every 6-8 hours (3 times a day) (please always refer to the directions on the medication package) to children over the age of 3 months. It should be given ONLY if the child is able to eat something as can be irritating to an empty stomach. It also should NOT be administered if your child has symptoms of dehydration – reduced urine production and poor oral intake. If this is the case you can give Paracetamol instead.
  • Brufen should start to work quite quickly. Your child should feel less pain 20–30 minutes after taking it.
  • For further information on what Ibuprofen/Brufen is, how and when to administer it to your tamaiti/riki, please visit the following link https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/i/ibuprofen-children/#Clinicia

    ​    Ondansetron (on prescription only)

  • Ondansetron is used to treat nausea and vomiting, which is often associated with dehydration.
  • If your tamaiti/riki becomes nauseous/begins vomiting, they will usually require a one-off/single dose of Ondansetron.
  • The amount of this one-off/single dose of Ondansetron will depend on your tamaiti/riki’s current weight.
  • Please remember to always take your ondansetron exactly as your doctor has told you.
  • The pharmacy label on the medicine packaging will also tell you how much your tamaiti/tamariki should take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
  • Ondansetron can be taken with or without food.
  • For more information regarding Ondansetron, please visit the following link: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/o/ondansetron/

Pedialyte/Hydralyte:

For diarrhoea/vomiting or a high fever and becoming dehydrated – with darker urine and lethargy

OR try giving them Diluted juice or diluted fizzy drink e.g. 1 cup apple juice diluted with 3 cups of water OR 1 cup Sprite diluted with 3 cups of warm water (to dissolve the bubbles)

Try to ensure the child drinks little and often – Monitor how much they are drinking and urinating as a guide – on our website https://www.gbmc.co.nz/health-advice/general-health-information-re-covid have a look for the diaries you can download to monitor symptoms for adults and children. This will be helpful for the Doctor to understand how things are going if you require a phone triage as you are concerned.

  • The usual dose of Pedialyte depends on your tamaiti/riki’s age and how severe their dehydration is. The following is a guide:

Child aged 1 month to 1 year: 1–1½ times the usual feed amount.

Child aged 1 to 12 years: 200 mL (approx. 1 cup) after every loose bowel motion (poo).

Child aged 12 years and over and adults: 200–400 mL (approx. 1–2 cups) after every loose bowel motion.

  • You will not harm your child by giving too much of the oral rehydration salt solution, so if you are not sure how much your child has kept down because they are being sick, it is better to give more rather than less of the oral rehydration salts.
  • For more information on Pedialyte (i.e., how to prepare it and other important administration tips), please visit the following link: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/o/oral-rehydration-salts/
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