RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS ON THE RISE

There has been a spurt in respiratory infections in children due to the wet and dry spell and the severest cases are also seeing allergic and asthma attacks according to city paediatricians. Nasal blockage, cold, cough, breathing difficulty, wheezing are being seen in children from the age group of six to eight years.

Dr Preeti Sharma, senior paediatrician at KIMS Cuddles explained, “In some of them, common cold symptoms are aggravating into asthma attack. This is because of the viral load in the body and also the effect of the pollution which the children are exposed to. Often we find that the constant exposure is also the reason for the child to have a stronger attack of asthma.”

The viruses from the rhino family, influenza and para influenza viruses and corona viruses are found to affect children as their immunity is very low. The movement of viruses from one place to another is due to the strong wind movements and it requires that people must maintain a good personal hygiene to protect themselves. Private clinics are seeing more than 30 cases per day while the government outpatient departments are having more than 50 cases of cold, cough and other respiratory infections.

Dr S. A. Rafi, consultant pulmonologist said, “In the case of cold it is important to take sufficient water and rest. It is also very important that the child must not be stressed. When these two aspects are taken care of the virus is often self-limiting. But it has been found that these small steps are not being taken due to the pressure of missing the school and this further aggravates the condition of the child.”