1/ It's clear: Long COVID is significantly impacting children. A new study from the University of Otago reveals over a fifth of kids and teens suffer persistent symptoms after COVID-19. This isn't just a cough; it's headaches, fatigue, and new anxieties. #LongCovidKids
2/ The study, published in the International Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, surveyed 4200+ children aged 3-20. More than 70% had confirmed COVID-19. A quarter reported more frequent coughs, colds, and stomach aches post-infection. #COVID19 #PublicHealth
3/ Persistent symptoms found in the study include:
Headaches (21.7%)
Fatigue (20.6%)
Stomach pain (14.6%)
New anxiety (13.1%)
These symptoms affect daily activities & school attendance. It's crucial we acknowledge this. #ChildrensHealth #PostCovid
4/ Before widespread COVID-19, 82.6% of children rated their health as "very good" or "excellent." After Omicron waves, this dropped to 66.9%. Kids who had COVID-19 were significantly more likely to rate their health as "acceptable" or "poor." #HealthDisparities
5/ Even previously healthy children are reporting new difficulties, from persistent coughs to concentration issues. While those with existing conditions like asthma or ADHD are at higher risk, many others are also affected. #PediatricCOVID #ChronicIllness
6/ Associate Professor Julie Bennett stresses: "Reducing infections is key to preventing Long COVID." Simple steps like opening windows for better ventilation in classrooms, workplaces, and homes can make a huge difference. #PreventionIsKey #Ventilation
7/ Larisa Hockey from Long COVID Kids New Zealand adds: "There is strong evidence that infection prevention is key to preventing Long COVID. Children deserve every opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive." Let's protect our kids! #ProtectOurKids #ChildhoodIllness
8/ If a child gets COVID, ensure they rest during and after the infection to prevent post-viral complications like Long COVID. Their long-term health depends on it. #RestAndRecovery #LongCovidAwareness
H/T @scott_squires for íposter collection.
H/T @lady_bourg proof reading
1/ The history of medicine is filled with brilliant minds whose groundbreaking discoveries were met with fierce resistance. Why do established beliefs so often trump new, life-saving facts? Let's talk about it. #MedicalHistory #ScienceDenial #PublicHealth
2/ Think of Ignaz Semmelweis. In the 1840s, he figured out that doctors washing their hands drastically reduced childbed fever deaths. His simple solution saved lives, but was ridiculed and rejected by the medical establishment of his time. #Semmelweis #HandHygiene
3/ They literally chose not to wash their hands. Then there's John Snow. During the 1854 London cholera outbreak, he meticulously mapped cases and traced them to a contaminated water pump. He proved cholera was waterborne, not spread by "bad air" #JohnSnow #Cholera #Epidemiology
1/ A common misconception: children need infections to build strong immune systems. Prof. Jörn Klein explains this is false. It's exposure to harmless microbes in nature – not illnesses like measles or flu – that truly strengthens immunity. #ChildHealth #ImmuneSystem
2/ The "hygiene hypothesis" is often misinterpreted. It's not about being "too clean," but a lack of diverse microbial exposure. Children thrive with a rich microbial life around them, from soil, animals & nature, which doesn't cause illness. #Microbiome #HealthyKids
3/ Historically, infections were the leading cause of child deaths. The dramatic decline in child mortality is thanks to improved hygiene, vaccination, and antibiotics, not children becoming "stronger" by getting sick. #PublicHealth #VaccinesWork
1/ A new report from Sweden highlights a staggering 62% increase in Type 1 Diabetes diagnoses for children under 5 between 2018-2022. Experts suggest the #COVID19 pandemic may have heavily impacted immune systems.
#Type1Diabetes
#ChildrensHealth
#SwedenCovid
2/ This stands in stark contrast to earlier Swedish claims that children were unaffected.
During the height of the pandemic, certain Swedish voices, like Prof. Jonas Ludvigsson, claimed "Children do not die" from
Covid-19.
#SwedenCovid
#KidsHealth
#PublicHealthcare
3/ This narrative pushed for open schools and "herd immunity," with Ludvigsson even asking them if he could quote them on "no school outbreaks."
Publicly available emails from March 2020 show
Peet Tüll
#Transparency
#PublicHealtEthics
1/ New analysis reveals a stark reality: 1 in 5 COVID-19 survivors still battle symptoms 3 years after severe infection. This meta-analysis of 11 studies highlights the profound, lasting effects on health and quality of life. #LongCovid #PostCovid
2/ The most common persistent symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, and shortness of breath. These aren't just minor annoyances; they significantly impact daily living and long-term well-being. #ChronicIllness #HealthCrisis
3/ This research, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, evaluated data from over 142,000 patients across Europe, Asia, and Australia, predominantly focusing on those hospitalized in 2020. The numbers are sobering. #MedicalResearch #PublicHealth
1/ New research reveals a concerning link: prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure might impact a baby's brain development. This isn't just about acute illness; it's about potential long-term effects on cognitive, communication, & motor skills. #COVID19 #ChildDevelopment #PublicHealth
2/ The study looked at babies whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy. At 6 months, many showed delays. By 24 months, those delays were even more common: nearly 65% had communication delays, and over 57% had motor delays! This is serious. #PediatricHealth #LongCOVID
3/ What's the connection? Researchers found that specific immune markers (cytokines and chemokines) in cord blood at birth were linked to these developmental delays. Things like IFN-γ, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-1β, and CXCL10. These could be early warning signs. #Biomarkers
1/ 🚨 New research from Karolinska Institutet reveals a stark truth: newborns facing severe health issues in their first weeks (respiratory distress, infections, neurological impact) have a significantly higher risk of mortality throughout childhood & adolescence. #ChildHealth
2/ The risk is highest in the first year but persists later in life. Children with neurological problems appear particularly vulnerable. This underscores the critical need for regular medical follow-ups & comprehensive support for these families. #PediatricCare #PublicHealth
3/ Separately, new findings highlight another crucial aspect of maternal & infant health: COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can elevate the risk of preterm birth. Preterm birth itself can lead to various health challenges for the newborn. #PregnancyCare #COVID19