• The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 infection appears broad, encompassing asymptomatic infection, mild upper respiratory illness, and severe viral pneumonia with respiratory failure and even death. (1)
• The incubation period for COVID-19 can extend to 14 days. The median time from exposure to the virus to the onset of symptoms was 4 to 5 days. (2)
• At the start of the disease, the most common symptoms are: fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. Other less common symptoms are: headache, confusion, runny nose, sore throat, hemoptysis, vomiting and diarrhea.

Are children less infected, less exposed, better protected, less often symptomatic ?

Children are vectors of the Virus :

The pediatric population is an important vector of the disease, due to asymptomatic forms, recommend the Pediatric societies. (2,3). Transmission would be inter-human, the proof is that the children did not visit the Huanan Market where the first patients adults have contracted SARS-CoV-2. Children were susceptible to COVID-19 at all ages.(1)

Children are less seriously affected

The key points :

• Publication: Stanford University School of Medicine (California)
• The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a major shortage of N95 face masks equivalent to FFP2 masks, particularly among healthcare professionals.
• The Stanford team studied three promising disinfection methods that can be applied to the recycling and reuse of face masks :
  • Hot air (75°C, 30 min).
  • UV light (254 nm, 8 W, 30 min).
  • Water vapor (10 min).

They determined the following :