A recently published Canadian scientific study has just confirmed that many children who test positive for the coronavirus are asymptomatic.
Since the start of the pandemic, we know that children have been less severely affected than adults by Covid-19. The serious and severe forms that the elderly may suffer from do not seem to affect them, although it cannot be said that they do not contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Indeed, according to a recent study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal, many children are infected without having symptoms.
Based on data from 2,463 children under the age of 18 living in the Alberta region of Canada, the researchers found that 1,987 of them tested positive for the coronavirus, compared with 476 negative. Among the infected, 35.9% were "silent carriers", that is to say they did not present symptoms, or one in three children.
These new figures should not reassure teachers who already denounce precarious working conditions, as well as a lack of preparation for this second epidemic wave. Working in contact with potentially infected children, and yet asymptomatic, the risks for them are therefore very real.
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The puzzle of “false symptoms” in children
Since the start of the school year on September 1, which parent has not already believed that their child has the virus? And for good reason, certain symptoms in children, and in particular in the fall season, can be misleading. We often rush to the doctor to ask for a test. Sometimes this turns out to be positive, but most of the time it is negative.
Among symptomatic children in the study, 24.5% reported having a cough, and 19.3% reported a runny nose. However, these symptoms have also been reported by those who were negative, so it's difficult to navigate. Like health officials, Canadian researchers are advising parents not to jump to conclusions at the sight of a simple cough and runny nose. In short, even if it seems complicated at the time, let's try not to panic and stay open to other options!
For more information on the right actions to adopt in schools, visit the government website.