Coronavirus: Is the Delta variant dangerous for kids? Here are the symptoms to watch out for & ways to keep them safe

Since the onset of the novel coronavirus, new emerging variants have been a source of great concern for researchers and common people alike. With the World Health Organization (WHO) having declared the Delta variant a 'Variant of Concern' (VoC), it is right to assume that the concerned virus strain is more contagious and transmissible than any other previous variants.

The spike in the number of Delta variant cases has alarmed health authorities in and around the world and also urged health bodies to issue updated COVID guidelines. The variant not only impacts adults, but is said to affect kids too.

Given that most children are yet to receive their COVID vaccines, they're at a greater risk of contracting the virus, developing symptoms and spreading it to other people. That said, here's a look at how the Delta variant tends to cause serious problems in kids.

All variants are initially 'variant of interest', considering not much is known about it and scientists delve deeper into the different aspects of the virus trains.

According to WHO, a variant of interest is a variant of concern (VOC) if, through a comparative assessment, it has been demonstrated to be associated with the following.

- Increase in transmissibility or detrimental change in COVID-19 epidemiology

- Increase in virulence or change in clinical disease presentation

- Decrease in effectiveness of public health and social measures or available diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics.

In respect to these conditions laid down by the WHO, Delta variant has been termed a 'Variant of Concern', given that it is more transmissible, associated with high viral load and is said to evade vaccine-induced immunity.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also stated that the Delta variant is more than twice as contagious as previous variants and can lead to severe illnesses in unvaccinated people, that includes kids.

Read more: 7 habits that would make your child more prone to COVID-19

Just like adults, children are prone to the SARs-COV-2 virus. During the second wave of COVID-19 in India, we saw a high rise in the number of COVID cases not just in adults but in kids as well. While experts blame it on the overall spike in the case numbers, many also blame the Delta variant for the same.

Even globally there has been a surge in the number of children testing positive for the Delta variant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), almost 94,000 child COVID-19 cases were reported in a week. This only indicates that children are also as susceptible to the new virus strains and mutations.

COVID-19 symptoms may go from mild to moderate infections and in some cases may even trigger severe illnesses.

As per Yale Medicine, Delta variant symptoms may be slightly different. While cough and loss of smell are less common with the Delta variant, headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever are some of most common symptoms reported in Delta variant cases.

Apart from that, in kids, an increase in the number of multisystem inflammatory syndrome cases in children (MIS-C) has remained concerning for parents all around the world. The symptoms may include:

- Headache

- Joint pain

- Nausea and vomiting

- Abdominal pain

- Rash

- Chest pain

- Fatigue

Read more: 5 early COVID signs to watch out for in your kids that need paediatric intervention

Since only some countries have approved vaccination for kids, India is yet to receive the authorization. That said, the only way to protect your kids from the Delta variant is by following COVID-appropriate behaviour.

Read more: Flu vaccine during COVID: Why it’s important for your child and the right time to get it

Wearing a mask, practicing proper hand hygiene, staying home, maintaining social distance is of utmost importance. During such critical times, it is also important to ensure that you take care of your child's mental health. COVID anxiety is real in adults and kids alike.