Kids fall prey to season's ailments as winter sets in

Hospitals have reported a spike in children suffering from respiratory diseases and viral infection in the last two weeks. Doctors said the rise in such cases was due to the change in seasons and the sudden dip in temperature.

In at least 70 per cent of the OPD cases, children have reported severe cold and cough infection, respiratory distress and viral fever. In cases where the severity of infection is more, children are complaining of breathing problems.

The state-run Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital has seen 70 per cent of the paediatric patients suffering from viral infection. Children below the age of two reported bronchiolitis cases.

“This is more common among infants. In severe cases of bronchiolitis, children are suffering from breathlessness. This constitutes around 60-70 per cent of the OPD cases currently. This is a pattern observed every year around this time due to change in the season. Children are suffering from cold, cough and viral fever,” said Dr Alok Agarwal, head of the department, paediatrics, Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital.

Doctors said the cases of dengue have been declining but are still being admitted on a daily basis. The cases will continue till the temperature comes down further, they said. For viral infections, children are typically complaining of sore throats with firal fever.

There has been no increase in pneumonia or asthma cases yet. Children need to take precautions so that they are not vulnerable to asthma attacks once the temperature falls further, said doctors.

Though there are no definite precautionary measures to avoid falling prey to the infections, children should avoid cold beverages and main high level of hygiene to minimise chances of infection.

The admission rate of infants suffering from respiratory distress has also gone up.
“More infants are being admitted with respiratory infection. At our hospital, at least 80 per cent children are suffering from viral infection. This is the third week in which the cases have seen a steep spike,” said Dr Amit Yadav, paediatric department, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital.

The Centre-run Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has seen at least 80 per cent rise in viral infection cases in the paediatric department compared to last month. “Upper respiratory tract infection with breathing problems is the most common problem among children in this season,” said Dr Pradeep Singh, paediatric department, RML Hospital.