COVID-19: Use Of Antivirals Not Recommended For Children And Adolescents Below 18 Years Of Age, Says Health Ministry

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 in Children and adolescents below 18 years.

The ministry has recommended not to use antivirals or monoclonal antibodies for children less than 18 years of age irrespective of the severity of infection. It is also recommended that anticoagulants should not be used on regular basis, reports NewsOnAIR.

The guidelines state that self-medication of steroids must be avoided and use of steroids are harmful in asymptomatic and mild cases of Covid-19.

It further added that steroids must be given in hospitalized and critically-ill Covid-19 cases under strict supervision.

The guidelines state that steroids should be used "at the right time in the right dose and for the right duration".

Masks are not recommended for children aged 5 years and under, according to the guidelines.

The guidelines mentioned that children with asymptomatic infection or mild disease should receive routine child care and eligible children should be administered appropriate vaccination.

In addition, for children with moderate to severe COVID, at discharge from hospital, parents or caregivers should be counselled regarding monitoring for persistence or worsening respiratory difficulty and explained the indications for bringing the child back to facility, the guidelines stated.