COVID-19 Infection Risk and Omicron in Children
Have you ever wondered if food allergies or other health conditions serve as a protective factor against health risks? The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released results of a new study that examined COVID-19 infection risk under the lens of food allergies, asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, obesity, and children 12 years of age or younger. Here’s a look at the findings of the Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS) study.
Food Allergies, Asthma, Eczema, and Obesity As Infection Factors
The HEROS study collected data on 4,000 adults and minors in 1,400 households over a 14-month period. In perhaps the most surprising highlight of the study, individuals with food allergies displayed a protective factor against COVID-19 infection – reducing their risk of infection by half. Study researchers think that an inflammatory immune response involved in allergic conditions – called type 2 inflammation – impacts the surface of airway cells. The reduction of ACE2 receptor levels serves as a blocker that provides less surface area for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to attach to and enter cells.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some have wondered about how asthma impacts risk of infection. HEROS study researchers also analyzed data about individuals with asthma and eczema, and their findings showed that neither group had increased risk for infection – certainly encouraging news for both of these patient groups. Early in the pandemic, data on those most at risk of COVID-19 infection indicated that obesity was a risk factor, and the HEROS study data showed that obesity and high body mass index (BMI) did indeed put those individuals at higher risk of infection. A body mass index of 30 or higher falls into the range of what is considered obesity.
COVID-19 Infection in Children
COVID-19 vaccinations remain as a strong protection against severe disease and hospitalization of adults and children, though some parents have been hesitant to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19 due to religious reasons, hesitancy about vaccines, or other reasons. The HEROS study researchers also examined COVID-19 infection risk in children 12 years of age and younger. Their findings showed that children in this age range were just as likely to become infected with the COVID-19 virus as teens and adults, but their rate of asymptomatic infections was 75 percent at the time of the study.
However, it should be noted that the HEROS study was carried out before the more infectious Omicron variant arrived. Research of the Omicron variant shows that it attacks more in the nasal passages and upper respiratory tract than previous variants. Children ages 12 and under have less developed nasal passages and respiratory tracts and thus can be impacted more severely than some teens and adults. Though the Omicron variant is generally milder than previous variants, children with Omicron infection have been hospitalized at a higher rate than previous variants. Vaccination remains as a strong protection against hospitalization of children with COVID-19 infection. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccination is approved for kids 5 and older in the U.S. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccinations for your child, make sure to discuss your concerns with their pediatrician or other qualified health professional. More information can also be found on the CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Children and Teens page.
Additional DHH COVID-19 Coverage
Some Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals may be hesitant about getting vaccinated against COVID-19 due to a history of mistrust or other personal reasons. You can learn more about development of the vaccines and more in the BIPOC COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns: Myths and Facts blog.
Have you heard of an enslaved Black man from colonial Boston named Onesimus? He was responsible for introducing an early form of immunization. You can discover more about him and vaccinations in What Do We Know About COVID-19 Vaccinations, the Delta Variant, and Onesimus?
Now that a considerable amount of time has passed since COVID-19 arrived, researchers have learned a lot more about the virus and its long-term impact on some patients. You can learn more in Long-Haul COVID-19 and POTS, What Do We Know?
As always, if you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, vaccinations, long-haul COVID-19 symptoms, make sure to talk to your doctor or other qualified health professional for additional guidance. Or if you have an experience to share of when you experienced a health disparity, contact us at DHH. We collect experiences to expose and hopefully prevent them from happening in the future, and to create a space of healing for the individual.
Sources
Food Allergy Is Associated With Lower Risk of COVID-19 Infection. National Institutes of Health website. Accessed June 10, 2022. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/food-allergy-associated-lower-risk-sars-cov-2-infection
Max Kozlov. Does Omicron Hit Kids Harder? Scientists Are Trying to Find Out. Nature website. Accessed June 10, 2022. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00309-x
In retaining editorial control, the information produced by Diverse Health Hub does not encapsulate the views of our sponsors, contributors, or collaborators.
Importantly, this information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional.
