2-month-old infant contracts Covid-19, vomits ‘like the Merlion’ before positive result

Singapore ― An infant was reported to have vomited “like the Merlion” before being diagnosed with Covid-19, causing worry among her family.

The story of Siti Hawa Mohd Najib and her two-month-old daughter, Aaisyah Humaira, who contracted Covid-19, is making rounds on social media.

It was reported that the second of Ms Hawa’s four daughters was the first to test positive for the virus.

The 12-year-old Aqilah Shazwani showed symptoms after her Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) listening comprehension exam on Sept 17.

“Because Aqilah’s ART (antigen rapid test) was negative at first, we thought it was just a normal fever. So we still mingled and ate together,” she told The Sunday Times on Oct 3.

The mother added that she and her husband Muhamad Firdaus was fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Aaisyah then tested positive on Sept 24 and was rushed to the National University Hospital (NUH).

Because the infant was too young for medication, she was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit, going through blood tests and a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) swab.

“I cried because, as a mother, this was too much to handle,” said Ms Hawa.

The couple also tested positive for Covid-19 on Sept 25, with the mother being warded in NUH while the father was isolated at home.

“I developed a sore throat and itchy eyes. My asthma was getting quite bad, and my chest was in pain and felt heavy. I have asthma, diabetes and hypertension, so I was worried that with all these conditions, Covid-19 could affect me badly,” Ms Hawa feared.

All the while, it was reported that she continued breastfeeding Aaisyah.

The mother shared that her child cried more, seeming like her body and throat hurt.

However, Aaisyah recovered quickly, to the family’s relief.

They both tested negative for the virus on Tuesday (Sept 28) and were eventually discharged from NUH.

She recalled the days in the hospital to be “very exhausting and stressful” and highlighted the moment when Aaisyah vomited “like the Merlion” before testing positive for the virus.

Although the family has yet to be reunited, Ms Hawa expressed gratitude towards her friends and colleagues who purchased food and essentials for her three daughters and husband in her absence.

Ms Hawa linked her child’s swift recovery to the antibodies in breast milk.

This was recently confirmed by data suggesting that breastfeeding women infected with Covid-19 continue to produce virus-neutralising antibodies into their milk for up to 10 months.

Researchers mentioned that the same antibodies could be used to treat patients with severe Covid-19 infections, thus boosting immunity and preventing their conditions from getting worse. /TISG

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