Children with COVID-19 Mostly Have Mild Cases 醫師:兒童病毒受體較少  染疫多屬輕症

Whilst most children merely suffer mild symptoms, it is worth noticing babies under 1 are clinically vulnerable and endure severe cases.

Presenter: Many of the cases in the New Taipei City preschool COVID-19 cluster infection are children. Doctors say the chances of infected children developing severe cases and dying are lower than those of adults due to several factors. Meanwhile, scholars remind people that classrooms need to be well-ventilated to prevent the virus from being transmitted through aerosols.

The New Taipei City preschool COVID-19 cluster infection continues to escalate. Experts say children and adults have the same risk of contracting the disease, but children mostly develop mild cases because they have fewer virus receptors and cross-protection with other coronaviruses. However, those under the age of one who get infected are at risk of death. Infected children are also at the risk of developing multisystem inflammatory syndrome, which resembles Kawasaki disease and can cause heart complications.

Huang Li-min, Superintendent, NTU Children’s Hospital:”Those under the age of one could have more severe cases. The level is 53 percent. However, those above the age of one mostly don’t have severe cases.”

Chang Luan-yin, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Professor, NTU:”They have high fevers for over three days and then their mouths become very red. Rashes appear on their bodies, and their hands and feet become inflamed. All these are similar to the symptoms of Kawasaki disease.”

Schools and after-school programs are opening for the new academic year, and on-site dining is once again allowed in most cities and counties. Scholars are concerned these will provide additional ways for the virus to spread. The most overlooked prevention method is good ventilation. People in an enclosed space without ventilation and with an infected person can easily get infected through aerosols. The Delta variant is especially contagious.

Chan Chang-chuan, Professor, College of Public Health, NTU:”Even if those who carry the virus are no longer at a place, people coming in may still get infected. It’s more serious with the Delta variant.”

Scholars say indoor locations must be well-ventilated. Windows and doors should be open, or there can be mechanical fans. The indoor carbon dioxide level should also be monitored. If feasible, student activities should be moved outdoors. Adults and teenagers should get vaccinated, while young children should frequently wash their hands and wear masks

新北幼兒園爆發群聚感染，國內感染症專家表示，兒童與成人感染新冠肺炎的風險類似，但因兒童有較少的病毒受體，與其他冠狀病毒交叉保護等因素，即使得病、也大多為輕症，但1歲以下嬰幼兒要特別當心，另外也得防範兒童染疫後，發生「多系統發炎症候群」，類似川崎氏症、引發心臟併發症。

台大兒童醫院院長 黃立民：「1歲以下是可以比較嚴重的，你看1歲以下呢，它有53%，意思就是說非常嚴重，可是呢，1歲以上基本上很少重症。」

台大小兒感染科教授 張鑾英：「發高燒通常會超過3天，之後有可能嘴巴會很紅，然後身上有疹子 然後手腳紅腫，那這個是類似我們台灣兒童的川崎症候群。」

由於各級學校、安親班陸續開學，多數縣市餐廳也開放內用，有公衛學者擔憂，新冠病毒傳播有很多管道，但是改善通風環境、是最容易被忽略的防疫工作，如果是在密閉空間，沒有通風換氣，一旦出現確診者，其他人很可能因為氣溶膠傳播而被感染，尤其Delta變異株會更嚴重。

台大公衛學院教授 詹長權：「排放者，排放這個病毒的人，已經不在那個環境，別人進來也有可能去接觸到，那這個在Delta裡面是更嚴重。」

學者強調，室內一定要保持通風，將門窗打開，或是安裝機械排風扇，同時監測室內二氧化碳濃度，若可行，盡量將學生的學習活動拉到戶外，並建議成人及青少年要接種新冠疫苗，無法施打疫苗的幼兒，則要勤洗手、戴口罩，做好個人衛生防護。