Assessment of Fecal Viral Shedding Among Children Who Have COVID-19 by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective: This study aimed to assess fecal viral shedding in children who have been confirmed COVID-19 by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Material(s) and Method(s): We enrolled fifty inpatient children who have been confirmed COVID-19 during first wave of outbreak in our region. All of the patients have been twice confirmed by RT-PCR within nasopharyngeal swabs. Each case was evaluated with clinical data, laboratory tests and rectal swabs. The rectal swabs were obtained five days after nasopharyngeal positivity. The clinical data was recorded within two basic categories, including common symptoms or digestive symptoms. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in rectal swabs was performed by RT-PCR method. Result(s): Fifteen patients (30%) had digestive symptoms. On the 5th day, 50 rectal swabs were studied with PCR-RT. Only one of them was positive (2%). The only patient who was positive for SARS-CoV-2 on rectal swab was a symptomatic threeand-a-half-year-old girl. The patient, who became asymptomatic in the follow-up, was retested with a nasopharyngeal swab one week later, the result was negative and she was discharged on the 10th day. The second rectal smear of the patient was negative. Conclusion(s): We found very low rate (2%) fecal viral shedding with rectal swab PCR among children who have been confirmed COVID-19 by nasopharyngeal swab PCR. We thought that this result was due to the mild clinical course of the patients who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 we followed up. However, fecal oral transmission might still matter in children. Copyright © 2022 Ankara Pediatric Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. All rights reserved.

A Qualitative Study On The Communicative Needs, Expectations And Experiences During Covid-19 Pandemic: 65 Years And Over Ankara Sample

This study examines the high-risk group of individuals age 65 and over who most frequently experience the negative consequences of Covid-19. We review their communicative needs and expectations, knowledge and information sources, and risk information and knowledge patterns. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 47 people aged 65 and over residing in Ankara. We evaluated our results in the context of The Social Amplification of Risk Framework, considering the major communication stations disseminating risk information. We found that during the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals aged 65 and over accessed risk information through new media and traditional media, and interpersonal communication, especially with close family and children, served as a primary information source during the pandemic. The trust factor, particularly regarding medical expertise, was an essential criterion in evaluating information. The communicative needs and expectations changed for this high-risk group. The need for improved digital communication capabilities become apparent during the pandemic crisis. Suggestions that consider public perspectives and risk perceptions while incorporating the relationship between risks and communication processes may contribute to structuring impactful risk communication activities.