Children and adolescents tend to have a milder effect of COVID-19 if they get infected as compared to adults. However, they are struggling to cope up with the pandemic. The protocols of COVID-19 such as lockdowns, social distancing including curfews and closures have taken a toll on their health and emotional wellbeing.
According to doctors 70% of the Urban population has not taken the HPV vaccine yet. The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine helps to protect against certain types of HPV that can lead to cancer or genital. HPV types 16 and 18 are the types which cause 80% of cervical cancer. HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts cases.
Some of the steps to be taken into account for the adolescents’ health are- (i) right kind of nutrition (ii) regular exercise (iii) parents should take care of adolescent girls’ health during the onset of menstruation (iv) give emotional support to keep the mental health in check, (v) Vaccination of all types including HPV vaccination. As adolescents are influenced by their peer pressure, they need counselling to understand what is wrong and what is right.
