A myth that CoViD-19 does not affect young people has been circulating in the Internet, and is downright dangerous. It could lead to risky behaviors, such as ignoring calls for social distancing, and increasing the spread of the virus.
Many psychologists have described a phenomenon of invincibility among adolescents–a sense that “it will never happen to me” which limits their ability to realistically assess risks and consequences. For people with narcissistic traits (excessive self-centeredness and need for attention), the sense of invincibility can extend from adolescence into young adulthood and beyond.
For this reason, precise and nuanced discussions about CoViD-19 are needed to help adolescents and young adults see the urgency and complexity of the situation.
Are children and young adults not affected by the CoViD-19 virus? A study by Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in collaboration with Shenzhen Center for Disease Control & Prevention found that children catch the virus at about the same rate as adults. But most children seem to have much milder symptoms than adults.
Various researchers have suggested reasons for this: 1) children’s lungs are healthier since they don’t smoke and have fewer years of exposure to air pollution and smoking; 2) adults are more likely to have dangerous overreactions of the immune system; and 3) most children have no comorbidities (i.e., other diseases or disorders like diabetes and high blood pressure) which increase the risk of dying from CoViD-19.
If you focus on the word “most” in the statement that most children have mild symptoms, you might not see the other side. The largest study so far on the impacts of COVID-19 on children found that 11 percent of infants and seven percent of toddlers and pre-school children infected with CoViD-19 were in severe or critical conditions. Furthermore, for all infected children between birth and 18 years old, 39 percent ended up with pneumonia or showed lung lesions in their CT scans.
With regards to young adults, the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported that of the confirmed CoViD-19 cases in the United States, 29 percent were between the ages of 20 to 44. Of those in that age bracket, between 14 percent to 21 percent required hospitalization, and two to four percent became critical and required intensive care.
The percentages of patients hospitalized and needing intensive care are higher for those aged 65 to 74 (meaning, the severity is indeed worse for older people) but the numbers for children and young adults are still significant. In other words, they are not invincible to CoViD-19.
As of March 18 here in the Philippines, the age distribution of confirmed CoViD cases was as follows: (rounded-off percent of total confirmed cases): 0.5 percent below 20 years old, 14 percent between 21-30 years old, 17 percent between 31-40, 18 percent between 41-50, 19 percent between 51-60, 19 percent between 61-70, and 11 percent over 70 years old.
We will not know the full impact of CoViD-19 on all age groups in the country until we have the capability to conduct many more tests.
Thailand, with a population of only 60 for every 100 people in the Philippines, has been able to conduct seven times more CoViD tests than the Philippines as of March 17.
In a comparison among 63 countries, the Philippines was ranked 61 in terms of the number of CoViD-19 tests conducted per capita so far.
Testing is crucial especially in countries where the outbreak is in its early stages. We need the test results to know how the virus is spreading, to make projections essential for planning and preparations, and to come up with the best strategies for slowing down the virus, and keeping the healthcare system from getting overwhelmed. Until then, social distancing and hand hygiene remain our best defense.
Dr. Jorge Emmanuel
DOST Balik Scientist/SU adjunct professor
