(WXYZ) — Because it’s still so new, there haven’t been any published reports on how the coronavirus affects pregnant women and children.
The CDC says it’s not clear if children are more susceptible to COVID-19, but they say most of the confirmed cases in China are adults.
Because of changes in their immune system, pregnant women are at higher risk when it comes to coronavirus.
“This is a very bad germ.”
Dr. Kurt Wharton is the medical director of the Family Birth Center at Beaumont Hospital and he says pregnant women are at a higher risk when it comes to COVID-19. That’s because this virus can make it harder to breathe, especially when the mom-to-be is further along in the pregnancy.
“If her lungs become sick, it’s extremely difficult for her to recover. It’s extremely difficult for us, even here at the hospital, to help her get better.”
Dr. Wharton is telling his pregnant patients to wash their hands, work from home if they can, don’t plan on traveling and don’t be around crowds.
“Am I going to avoid elevators? Every chance I get.”
Not many studies have been done on coronavirus and pregnant women, but health experts believe the virus doesn’t move from mom to baby and doesn’t cause birth defects
“Once the baby is born that baby is then at risk if the mother is sick.”
But what about kids?
Dr. Daniel Schnaar is a Peditrician with Beaumont Hospital.
He said, “Much less children are being reported at all, all around the world.”
Many of the kids who were diagnosed, had a more mild illness.
Dr. Schnaar suggests parents teach their kids about washing their hands properly.
He says it is still safe to send them to school, unless told otherwise by officials.
But you may want to rethink extracurricular activities, especially if it’s indoors.
“I think parents are going to be choosing different things to do with their children, perhaps play outside as the weather warms up, rather than sitting in a movie theater,” he added.
Dr. Schnaar also says if you think you have the coronavirus, call your doctor first before showing up at the medical office or hospital, so you won’t get others sick.
Most doctors won’t have tests on-hand, so office staff can give you better advice on where to go for testing.