Setting a good example for your children by managing your stress through healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding alcohol, is critical for parents and caregivers. When you are prepared, rested, and relaxed you can respond better to unexpected events and can make decisions in the best interest of your family and loved ones.
No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.
While some traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. We do not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines.
No. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. It’s not known yet whether some children may be at higher risk for severe illness, for example, children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs. There is much more to be learned about how the disease impacts children.
No. If your child is healthy, there is no need for them to wear a facemask. Only people who have symptoms of illness or who are providing care to those who are ill should wear masks.
Practice everyday preventive actions to help reduce your risk of getting sick and remind everyone in your home to do the same. These actions are especially important for older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions:
Most important thing in this case is to follow the government guidelines, you can call DHA hotline on 800 342 and ask for guidance. For people who are recovering at home and their caregivers,
Yes. Women with COVID-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so. They should:
Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.
You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things everyone should do to stay healthy.
It is important to have a routine in place that can serve as a guide for all members family and reduce anxiety and boredom at home. It is important to add a fixed time for free play, thus allowing the child/children to explore their feelings through play.
Give opportunities to play out their feelings using toys, drawings, Lego or more sensory materials like play-dough or clay. Activities that put the body in movement also help to calm down a busy mind.
Make time on the schedule for ‘family time’. Choose a fun interactive card or board game and join in with your child, and include all family members.
Explain to your child that as this is a very special and unique time, he can still invite all his friends to his party virtually using video conferencing applications. Create a challenge on how to make the most unique and best virtual birthday party.
Sit with your child/children and work together to think of fun activities including a home school schedule, cooking sessions, imaginary play, building tents with furniture, making shops out of cardboard boxes, and making up stories and acting them out. Most importantly, have fun with your children.
Life can be more challenging during this stressful period. With the ongoing changes people can easily feel overwhelmed. Intense anxiety can have a negative impact on you as well as your child’s daily life. Mindfulness helps us find calmness even when we feel overwhelmed. Focusing on the present moment also helps us feel less depressed and less anxious.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness means being attentive to your feelings, thoughts, and sensations at the present moment. Accepting your current experience without judging as either good or bad can help in feeling calmer. By regulating your emotions during stressful circumstances, you can cope and solve problems more efficiently.
How can I be a more mindful parent?
It is not always easy to focus your attention at the present moment. Our attention often wanders into being preoccupied by the past, or worried about the future. Distractions interfere with our ability to give our full attention to what we are doing or to the people who we are with. Our minds often jump from one thing to another, however, with practice we can become more focused and more present with our children.
What strategies can I start practicing?
How can I bring mindfulness to everyday life?
Good nutrition is essential to a strong immune system. No one food or supplement will help protect against coronavirus but there are ways to keep your immune system functioning optimally such as proper handwashing, maintaining good nutrition, being physically active, meditating and managing stress and getting adequate sleep. One of the best ways to stay healthy is to eat a nutritious diet. Include the following superfoods for a stronger immunity:
Unfortunately we don’t know yet, however everyone is working very hard to stop the spread of the virus so that you and your friends can go back to school again 🙂.
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
There is a wide range. Some patients don’t have much symptoms from the beginning, while others may take as long as 3 to 6 weeks to feel better.
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
Please reassure your toddler that everyone is working very hard to limit the spread of the virus so that our lives can go back to normal soon
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
Covid-19 is believed to have started from a “wet market” in Wuhan which sold both dead and live animals. The best way to prevent rapid spread is strict hygiene standards and social distancing.
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
It is hard to predict that, which is why governments, front line workers, and others around the world are tirelessly working to limit the spread of the virus and to prevent such a peak in the future.
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
Unfortunately we don’t know yet. It must be tough to stay away from your friends, however that is the best way to keep you and your friends safe during this time. Thank you for helping us stop the spread of the virus, and we hope that you are reunited with your friends very soon!
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
Covid-19 is believed to have started from a “wet market” in Wuhan which sold both dead and live animals. The best way to prevent rapid spread is strict hygiene standards and social distancing.
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
Covid-19 can affect children as well, however it is generally known to cause milder symptoms in children. The best way to stop the spread is by staying home and staying safe with your family.
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
The airports will reopen again once it is safe for you and your family to travel and enjoy your summer vacation. Let us all contribute so that this happens soon, by staying home and staying safe!
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
There is no specific treatment or cure for the virus as of the moment. People are treated based on the symptoms or on how the patient is feeling.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
Coronaviruses are family of viruses that cause animals to be sick and it made a jump to humans. We do not know the exact source of the outbreak. The Covid-19 is thought to come from animals but the animal source has not yet been identified though the original host is believed to be bats. Frontliners - healthcare workers, police, scientists and everyone is helping each other to help stop this so we can go out again.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
It was believed that it started in a wet market in China where hygiene standard is difficult to maintain and so it help the virus to jump from animals to humans. We can prevent this from happening in the future by preparing adaptive, holistic approaches to the detection, prevention, control, cure and to keeping an eye of emerging infectious diseases that covers the complex link among species, ecosystems and human society. This means that we are all responsible for our actions on how to maintain respect and balance between human beings, their environment and the ecosystem. We recommend to stay home, practice personal hygiene, hand hygiene, social distancing and cough etiquette.
The frontline workers are doing our best to keep all children and everyone safe. That is why we are requesting everyone to help us by staying home.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
The first human cases of COVID-19 were identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019. At this stage, it is not possible to determine precisely how humans were infected nor determine the first patient.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
The COVID-19 virus is mainly transmitted through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within 1 metre of a person infected by the virus. This could be by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands. It is not sure how long the virus could stay on surfaces though studies show that coronaviruses may last on surfaces for a few hours or up to few days and may depend under different conditions like temperature and type of surfaces.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
At this point in time, pets are safe and will not be infected from humans.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
So far, it’s human to human transmission only.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
This is the structure of the virus. This virus has a piece of RNA-this is the genes for how it functions. This is then enclosed in a membrane (the circle part) and sticking out of this membrane are the viral proteins (the spiky sides) which is responsible for how it directly engages and interacts with the cells of our body.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
Potentially yes, through contaminated services.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
It is not sure how long the virus can stay on surfaces though studies show that corona virusess may last on surfaces for a few hours or up to few days and may depend under different conditions like temperature and type of surfaces.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
As we are still on a period of studying about the virus, we are still not certain when we can have a walk outside with our pets. At this moment, we urge everyone to stay at home as we combat this virus.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
Please stay at home and practice hand hygiene to stop the spread of the virus.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
Always start with validating your loved ones’ feeling: “we know it’s very frustrating to not be able to see your friends. We share the same feelings.” Since COVID-19 is a virus that we cannot see with the naked eye, it can be quite a challenge to explain to children that we are fighting an invisible enemy. The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress recommends the following for younger children:
Let your child know that even though it is hard for us to not be able to go out or see others as freely as we used to, this is something necessary that we must do in order to limit the spread of the virus and keep everyone in our community as safe as possible. You can also show them alternative ways that they can meet their neighbors and friends virtually, such as using applications like Zoom and other social media platforms. Reassure them that this situation will not last forever, and that as long as we maintain social distancing, we are fighting this virus and weakening it until we can go back to our regular daily routines safely. Balance your response to center around being careful, but not being scared, as things will change, and soon enough, they will be able to go out again.
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
A shift in routine can be difficult for anyone to get used to, for both adults and children alike. Always validate their feelings: “I know this is very hard to not be able to see your friends.” Remind them that you are also not able to see your friends, and that their friends are experiencing the same thoughts and feelings. Explain to your children that by going to school, the virus would spread quickly from person to person (as it is invisible), even though as a young person, they may not get sick. However, the spread puts others at a much greater risk, especially people like grandma and grandpa. It can also be helpful to try to assist your child in connecting with their peers and school teachers virtually, whether it’s through the e-learning system that your child’s school is using or through other media platforms such as Zoom.
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
A shift in routine can be difficult for anyone to get used to, for both adults and children alike. Always validate their feelings: “I know this is very hard to not be able to see your friends.” Remind them that you are also not able to see your friends, and that their friends are experiencing the same thoughts and feelings. Explain to your children that by going to school, the virus would spread quickly from person to person (as it is invisible), even though as a young person, they may not get sick. However, the spread puts others at a much greater risk, especially people like grandma and grandpa. It can also be helpful to try to assist your child in connecting with their peers and school teachers virtually, whether it’s through the e-learning system that your child’s school is using or through other media platforms such as Zoom.
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
Always start with validating your loved ones’ feeling: “we know it’s very frustrating to not be able to see your friends. We share the same feelings.” Since COVID-19 is a virus that we cannot see with the naked eye, it can be quite a challenge to explain to children that we are fighting an invisible enemy. The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress recommends the following for younger children:
Let your child know that even though it is hard for us to not be able to go out or see others as freely as we used to, this is something necessary that we must do in order to limit the spread of the virus and keep everyone in our community as safe as possible. You can also show them alternative ways that they can meet their neighbors and friends virtually, such as using applications like Zoom and other social media platforms. Reassure them that this situation will not last forever, and that as long as we maintain social distancing, we are fighting this virus and weakening it until we can go back to our regular daily routines safely. Balance your response to center around being careful, but not being scared, as things will change, and soon enough, they will be able to go out again.
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
Children are naturally inclined to ask questions and follow their curiosity, especially when a big change happens in the world that has directly affected them. When a child asks repetitive questioning it is most likely not due to any lack of understanding, but due to an increase in their anxiety and distress. We recommend modeling a calm and positive outlook. Remind her that during this time, we have a list of “Safe” activities” and “Not Safe” activities. It may even be helpful to print them out and post them in her room as a fun activity. It can also be very effective to practice some mindfulness techniques and deep breathing exercises together. Belly breathing for children, even as young as 3, can be very helpful as a family exercise. Deep breathing is excellent for coping with anxious thinking and calming the nervous system.
Be mindful as well about how you discuss COVID-19 at home and around your children, as this can increase or decrease your child’s anxiety. Keep reminding them that you are all safe and healthy at home, and that what you are doing is important to maintain that as well as the health and safety of everyone around you. If your child seems anxious, listen to them carefully and allow them to express their concerns with you, so you can respond to them honestly and with reassurance. It is especially important to remind her that this will not last. The “Not Safe” list will change as soon as doctors find a cure for the new virus.
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
A daily routine will most likely look different in each household, but every home will be trying to maintain a certain balance between the usual family life at home as we all know it in addition to now working and studying from home. We recommend having a schedule to follow for classes and/or working hours, and it can be even more helpful to have designated work station areas to focus in without being distracted by things like the TV or the presence of other family members. Keeping a routine also helps provide a sense of stability and insight into what the coming day may look like, which can be very reassuring and calming in times of such unpredictability. One particular problem is keeping a good sleep routine because “there is no school.” However, it is very important for children to maintain a bedtime, and it is very helpful for adults as well. Among the most important factors for maintaining a good immunity is obtaining sufficient sleep.
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
Just as you mentioned in your question, our children’s and loved ones’ wellbeing is the priority. The answer to that may not be rooted in what we as a country need to do, but in what every individual person is responsible to do instead. COVID-19 has proven to us how much influence one person can have over hundreds of others around them, and in much the same way, it is important for us to come together and put health as the number one priority – always. After we are able to surpass this phase with God’s grace, we must have learned from it, and emerge stronger than before and better prepared for any such situation that could happen again. The best thing we can do for our kids is to move forward with courage, to be resilient and to adapt to these difficult conditions with healthy coping mechanisms. If we want to emerge stronger as a country, we must take personal responsibility and create positive memories for our children during their time with us – this will create children who will be ready to take on the next challenge ahead with resilience and grit!
Answered by Dr. Fady Serry Psychologist Al Jalila Children's
Covid 19 is caused by small funny germs called viruses. Viruses are so small and minute that we can’t see them by the light microscope. They need a special type of microscope called Electron Microscope for visualization. Viruses cause many infections like flu and common cold. The virus that causes COVID 19 is called SARS CoV 2 virus. Scientists believe that SARS CoV 2 did not exist before December 2019. It is actually virus from Bats called bat Coronaviruses that changed it genes so that it can enter the human body.
In addition to COVID 19, viruses from bats are also responsible for causing SARS, MERS, Ebola, Hendra, Nipah. It is believed that these viruses jumped from one bats to humans by an event called “Zoonotic Spillover”.
When bat habitats are disrupted, it stresses the animals and causes them to shed huge quantity of virus in their saliva, urine and faeces that can infect humans either directly or by infecting other animals who in turn can then infect humans. Currently scientists believe that COVID 19 might have spread to an intermediate host called Pangolins, which in turn lead to human infections.
Answered by Dr. Rubina Lone Microbiologist and Assistant Director of Laboratory Medicine Al Jalila Children's
It’s hard for scientists to project the duration of the Covid 19 Pandemic. It is said that 1 infected person can infect 3 more people who in turn can infect 9 people and so on. The only way we can decrease the level of infectivity is if we develop antibodies from a previous infection or through vaccination
This is called “Herd immunity”- a situation when a large percentage of the population becomes immune to a disease and thus the spread of that disease slows down or stops.
However, how soon we develop the herd immunity for Covid 19, either due to natural infection or by developing a vaccine, is still too early to say.
Answered by Dr. Rubina Lone Microbiologist and Assistant Director of Laboratory Medicine Al Jalila Children's
Viruses including the SARS CoV 2 virus are strange but very intelligent germs. Using few molecules, they have the ability to organize into tiny shapes and travel between people through air, water, food and droplets. There are a number of reasons why it’s difficult to develop an antiviral or vaccine against viruses.
Answered by Dr. Rubina Lone Microbiologist and Assistant Director of Laboratory Medicine Al Jalila Children's
The Government of UAE is taking all measures to protect you and your family, and I assure you that they will open the borders as soon as they make sure that you and your dad will be safe to meet and go back to your normal lives. For now, please help us by staying home and staying safe with your family.
Answered by Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi Chief Operating Officer Al Jalila Children's
There are many reasons for some countries to have more cases than others, but to make it simple, it depends on how many people live in each country, and are these people staying home and staying safe.
Answered by Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi Chief Operating Officer Al Jalila Children's
Unfortunately, the virus can go anywhere and all countries. Our advice is, send your friends a word and tell them to stay home with their families and stay safe like you are doing here, this is how we can stop the spread of the virus, and we are sure that you will be able to travel to Bangladesh soon and meet all your friends.
Answered by Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi Chief Operating Officer Al Jalila Children's
We are very sorry to say that the corona virus has reached almost all countries in the world, including Sri Lanka, but I am sure that they are taking all precautions there to stop the virus like we are doing here in UAE. So don’t worry and stay safe.
Answered by Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi Chief Operating Officer Al Jalila Children's
Glad to hear you love skating. My children love skating too. The 24 hour lock down is very important to fight the spread of the virus, if we all implement it the virus will go away, and very soon you will be able to skate again, see you in the skating ring 😊.
Answered by Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi Chief Operating Officer Al Jalila Children's
فيروس كورونا أو كوفيد19 يصيب الأشخاص من كل الأعمار كباراً وصغاراً
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
فيروس كورونا أو كوفيد19 يصيب الأطفال أيضاً، ولكن بشكل عام تبقى إصابة الأطفال محدودة وبأعراض خفيفة
Answered by Dr. Deena Wafadari General Paediatrician Al Jalila Children's
COVID-19 can affect everyone but it will be more severe in elderly and patients who have other chronic diseases like diabetes, heart and kidney problem, immunocompromised and those pregnant. فيروس كوفيد19 قد يصيب كافة شرائح المجتمع، ولكن تأثيره يكون أكبر على الفئات العمرية الأكبر أو المرضى بأمراض مزمنة أخرى مثل السكري وأمراض القلب والكلى وأمراض نقص المناعة بالإضافة إلى الحوامل.
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
فيروس كورونا بيخلص عن قريب انشالله، بجهود حكومة الإمارات وبجهود العائلات والأطفال من خلال بقائهم في البيت واتباع كل نصائح السلامة وانشالله سنمنع انتشار العدوى وتعود الحياة إلى طبيعتها
Answered by Dr. Walid Abuhammour Consultant – Paediatric Infectious Disease Al Jalila Children's
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