Children half as likely to receive COVID-19 as adults: What we do know

The researchers evaluated the transmission data of 637 homes in Bnei Brak, Israel.

All underwent PCR testing, and some participants received serological antibody tests.

The researchers then took these findings and modified them to reflect the overall levels of infection and spread of the coronavirus.

They found that children are 43 percent less susceptible to COVID-19 compared to adults.

The results show that children transmit COVID-19 far less than adults. That is, the ability of children to transmit the virus is about 63 percent compared to adults.

Children are also less likely to produce positive PCR results, which look for the genetic material of the virus, even when they have the virus.

This may explain why children worldwide have lower rates of diagnosis.

“After monitoring the [COVID-19] pandemic for more than a year, the data is clear, ”said Dr Robert Hamilton, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center,“ children are devastated by this disease. “

“Worldwide, study after study has shown that children and teens make up only 1 to 3 percent of all cases, and that even fewer needed hospitalization,” Hamilton said.

Professor Amy Baxter, clinical professor at Georgia College of Medicine at Augusta University, and Head of PainCareLabs, suspects that COVID-19 has less of an effect on children because of their undeveloped sinuses.

“SARS-CoV-2 reproduces in the nasopharynx, and children have highly undeveloped sinuses until around the age of 12,” Baxter told Healthline.

Baxter pointed out that even when children test positive for COVID-19, they may be less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2.

“Even if the swab appears to show the same viral load, the size of the tank is so different that child protection systems are not stimulated in the same way as they are unlikely to be contains nearly as many copies of [the] virus, ”said Baxter.

SARS-CoV-2 is usually ingested nasally before developing to COVID-19. From there, it travels past the nose and into the nasal cavities where the virus attaches to a specific receptor called ACE2 and replicates itself to infect to create.

Some evidence suggesting they don’t have as many children ACE2 receptors.

But overall, the research is limited and ongoing studies will show whether and how ACE2 levels affect disease.

Dr. Kathleen Jordan, an infectious disease expert and senior vice president of medical issues at women’s health provider Tia, suspects that the lower aggression rate in children is related to the fact that children don’t most often with so many health ailments or comorbidities. adults.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists obesity and type 2 diabetes as health conditions that may increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Jordan believes that “a combination of higher comorbidities in adults increases the risk while some features unique to children also protect them, such as immune features and reduced propensity to shed and inflammatory disorders in general. ”

But there are many other theories that scientists are looking into.

Children may be taller immunity from other seasonal coronaviruses that causes the common cold.

“Immunity from these coronavirus cousins [SARS-CoV-2] viruses seem to provide some protection against it [COVID-19] also, ”Hamilton said.

This crossover immunity could keep their immune systems sharp and ready to attack the novel coronavirus.

“Age may be the best protection for COVID,” said Nachman.

There may be differences in microbiota, vitamin D levels, and melatonin that provide a level of protection.

“These moderate pathways may play a role in why the disease is so mild in children and tends to cause symptoms or end organ damage as seen by these pathways in adults. , ”Said Jordan.

More research is needed to better understand the role of children in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19, especially if and how schools and childcare centers spread fuel.

However, children are not considered to be the main drivers of distribution in their schools or communities.

An Irish study estimating 40,000 people found that children under 15 were half as likely to get and get over the coronavirus.

However, children can contract SARS-CoV-2, and COVID-19 where people interact, schools and childcare facilities are included.

But with the growing evidence, Hamilton said many researchers and physicians feel the dangers of keeping children out of school – such as depression and anxiety – – outweighs the risk of getting the new coronavirus in a school setting.

Podding, body speed, and mask wear are effective measures for alleviating referrals in schools, Jordan noted.

“We saw that school was the safest place for our children,” said Nachman. “In almost every school that is open to personal learning, and with masking and partial social distance, almost no virus is transmitted. ”

A new model from researchers in Israel found that children are half as susceptible to COVID-19 compared to adults.

They are also less likely to develop the disease and are more likely to perform negative PCR tests even when they have the virus.

Infectious disease experts say there are a number of factors that appear to protect children, such as immunity from seasonal coronaviruses, undeveloped sinuses and reduced comorbidities.

With the evidence, many health experts believe that the benefits of in-school learning outweigh the risks of getting the crown virus in a school setting.

Still, COVID-19 spreads wherever people are, so mitigation measures such as face shelter, body speed, and pod learning can help prevent the spread of disease in childcare and learning facilities. .