Doctors sound infection alert
Baby Xaris Faith Edpao and her older sister Zoe Mathea Edpao, 6, had to be hospitalised after they tested positive in an influenza swab test in January and February, respectively, said their mother Camille Edpao.
Xaris, who was born in the last week of November at Prime Hospital, had heavy breathing and slight fever when she was not even a month old.
Her mother told Gulf News: “Doctors at Prime Hospital advised us to admit her as she was breathing heavily and had fever. Newborns have small lungs and they are supposed to breathe 40 times per minute. However, when timed, we realised our baby was breathing nearly 60 times per minute which was quite tiring for her and she had to be admitted.”
Soon after the baby was discharged, her sister Zoe who goes to school had to be admitted with cough, cold and shivering.
“We tried to manage our older daughter with sponge baths, paracetamol, etc. However, when she got worse, we had to admit her too,” said Edpao.
Go for influenza test
What’s more, Xaris had to be admitted again in February with her sister as it looked like the stubborn infection had returned. Now, both sisters have returned home and are recuperating.
Both children tested positive for influenza and had to complete courses of Tamiflu. Edpao added: “One needs to be very watchful with little kids as influenza can be tough on their bodies. Normal paracetamols do not work, so I advise parents that if their child’s fever and congestion isn’t responding to over-the-counter medication, go for an influenza test and get the right treatment. Little children’s condition can worsen quickly.”