Parents told to avoid sending flu-infected kids to school
With flu cases rising in the UAE with the onset of winter, doctors are urging parents to avoid sending infected kids to school to prevent its spread to other kids and their families.
Dr Meenakshi Sesama, specialist paediatrician, Aster Clinic, Barsha said: “With the onset of the winter season, hospitals and clinics are seeing a huge influx of children with fever, cough, cold, body ache, loose motion, vomiting, and breathing complaints. Flu and RSV infections are on the rise."
And with many families planning to travel during the winter holidays, medics say administering a flu vaccine to kids could be a precautionary measure to avoid severity, frequency and complications later. Dr Sesama said since the Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed, travellers who want to reduce the risk of influenza should consider vaccination, "preferably at least two weeks before departure".
She said most influenza cases in healthy children are self-limiting. “In severe cases, anti-viral treatment is recommended. Mostly, in suspected influenza cases, it is just the symptomatic treatment, and
But in severe cases or where there are other risks — if your child is influenza A positive — they should be treated with antiviral medications at the earliest,” Dr Sesama added.
Doctors say symptoms of flu and other viral infections are more or less the same in the initial stages. However, in the case of flu, children experience high-grade fever, breathing difficulties, chills, and generalised feelings of not being well, compared to a common cold.
Dr Sahar Mohamed Elghawaby, specialist paediatrician, Prime Medical Centre, Motor City branch, Dubai, said: “In the last couple of weeks, we have been getting many children with influenza. It is a bit hard for parents to differentiate between influenza and other viral infections. Common symptoms of influenza include high fever, cough and flu along with vomiting and very poor intake, sometimes. Luckily, all clinics now have kits for rapid detection of influenza.”
Dr Elghawaby said parents must see a doctor immediately if their child's condition gets worse and if they can't handle the symptoms.
He said it is vital to visit the paediatrician within the first 48 hours. The family should be aware of all medications that can be used to control the child's fever, including the dosage, frequency and contraindications. All instructions should be precise and clear.”
Dr Saad Aziz, medical director and paediatrician at Medeor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said: “Illnesses like flu spread quickly among children as they are more likely to touch their eyes, mouth and nose without washing their hands. Children need to keep themselves hydrated and consume nutritious food.
"Moreover, they must follow good hand hygiene. As respiratory illnesses spread quickly among children when they are in close contact, keep them at home till they recover,” said Dr Aziz.