Children With Asymptomatic And Mild Symptoms Do Not Need To Take COVID-19 Antiviral Drugs

Illustration (Antara)

JAKARTA - Child health specialist at the National Central General Hospital Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM), dr. Nina Dwi Putri, Sp.A (K), said children who have no symptoms and have mild symptoms of COVID-19 do not need an antiviral.

"Children who are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms do not need antivirals, except for special considerations (from doctors) for children who are at high risk for severe (symptomatic) due to comorbidities," said dr. Nina at the Heartology Cardiovascular Center online seminar, quoted on Sunday, quoted by Antara.

There are also comorbidities of children who will be at greater risk for exposure to COVID-19 are patients with immune system disorders such as cancer, kidney failure, autoimmune, and HIV. Then those with congenital heart defects, chronic lung disease, asthma, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and neurological disorders.

Further, dr. Nina said that the administration of antiviral was determined by the doctor according to the patient's condition. "The doctor will determine according to the patient's condition. Children with shortness of breath and severe symptoms are hospitalized and given antivirals," said dr. Nina.

She also emphasized that antibiotics are not a cure for COVID-19. This follows the circulation of narratives and messages containing prescription drugs for COVID-19 on social media containing suggestions for the use of several types of drugs such as azithromycin, favipiravir, and dexamethasone to treat COVID-19. These antibiotics are generally easy and inexpensive to obtain in pharmacies offline or online.

"Do you need antivirals and antibiotics? Most children will recover on their own, don't need antivirals or antibiotics unless they have severe symptoms and are hospitalized," said Dr. Nina.

On the other hand, when doing self-isolation at home with children, the doctor who graduated from the University of Indonesia said parents must ensure that everyone at home has no symptoms or mild symptoms. Furthermore, ensuring adequate home environment has a separate room with good ventilation.

Meanwhile, for treatment and monitoring at home, dr. Nina told parents to actively monitor temperature, oxygen saturation twice a day, respiratory rate, symptoms of food intake, child's activity, and signs of dehydration.

"For self-medication, it is only to make the child comfortable. For example, if the child has a fever and activities are disturbed, fever medicine can be given. Don't forget to provide high nutritional food and vitamins," she said.