The Omicron variant appears to be creating more cases in small children.
Growing numbers of children who test positive for the COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 at hospitals this winter are showing up with a barking cough, the characteristic symptom of croup. Though this respiratory syndrome is usually mild, it may lead to more serious illness. An estimated one in 30,000 croup cases are fatal, according to a 2013 analysis derived from studies in a handful of countries, including Canada and the U.S.
Croup’s distinctive-sounding cough occurs when a child’s upper respiratory tract becomes inflamed and constricted around the vocal cords and airways, sometimes making it difficult to breathe. Other croup symptoms include a hoarse voice, throat pain and stridor—a creaking rattle when a child inhales. “It’s a frightening illness, especially for young parents,” says Jeffrey Starke, an expert in pediatric infectious disease at Texas Children’s Hospital.
It is unclear whether the Omicron variant is more likely to cause croup in children than previous strains of the novel coronavirus, experts say. But Omicron preferentially infects the upper airway. And in kids, inflammation and mucus can block the airways more easily than in adults.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What's next for COVID vaccines for kids under 5COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5 may be available in the U.S. as early as March, but there are several hurdles still to clear.
Read more »
COVID-19 Testing Pop-Up Open Thursdays In Highland ParkA free COVID-19 testing pop-up will be available for walk-ins through 4 p.m. Thursday in Highland Park.
Read more »
NYC school attendance stabilizes as COVID-19 wave recedesPlagued by skyrocketing COVID-19 infections in schools after the winter break, the DOE saw hundreds of thousands of kids missing from their buildings each day.
Read more »
Why Do Some People Get Covid When Others Don't? Here's What We Know So FarAn increasing amount of research is being devoted to the reasons why some people never seem to get Covid — a so-called never Covid cohort.
Read more »
2 Types Of Rapid COVID Tests Recalled; Were Never Authorized By The FDARECALL ALERT: The FDA says they never authorized Empowered CovClear COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests and ImmunoPass COVID-19 Neutralizing Antibody Rapid Tests for use or distribution.
Read more »
Payrolls surged by 467,000 in January, confounding economists'Average people are getting clobbered by the price of everything today': President Biden says he will do 'everything in my power' to work with Congress to lower rising consumer prices and 'make our capitalist system work better'
Read more »