Winter bugs lay little ones low in Bangalore

Winter’s here. And the proof is all over the place at pediatricians’ clinics in the city. Each of them is seeing not less than 15 cases of infants and children below five years getting affected by seasonal flu every day.

The rush began more than a week ago. And a few cases, this season, have turned out to be prolonged bouts of flu, requiring more than the stipulated seven days to recover.
“Influenza virus is common this season and at least 20 children in a day I see are suffering from cold, cough and flu,” said Dr Preethi Galgali, a city-based pediatrician
and member of Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

Doctors said the viral fever coupled with bacterial infection is expected to trouble more number of people than usual.

“Generally, a viral fever stays for five to seven days. And within the initial three to four days the affected person feels better. However, for grown up individuals or children with low immunity, the viral infection can be followed by a bacterial infection leading to the illness lasting beyond a week or so,” Dr Preethi said.

As a preventive measure, Dr Preethi recommends that the parents must get their children administered with flu vaccine. “This vaccine is recommended specially to children with chronic kidney or cardiac problems, asthma or blood infection.

Ideally, September-October is the right time for getting the vaccine administered so that their immunity gets a boost by November-December. But, children can take the vaccine even now,” she said.

For the first time, two dosages of this vaccine should be given within a period of one month, and then this vaccine has to be continued once a year till the child reaches 18 years of age.

Children below five years are prone to pneumonia. Thus the onus of not exposing children to the morning chill lies with their parents. During winters, children are also prone to developing respiratory distress, acute allergic asthma and acute bronchitis, Dr BT Rudresh, a city-based homeopath practitioner and director of Ashwini Homeo Clinic, said.

At least 30-40% of the children are certain to get affected this season, he said, adding: “It is difficult to provide one prophylactic dosage for all. However, affected children can have Aconite 30, thrice a day for two days continuously. In case their condition doesn’t improve they should see a doctor,” he added.

“Good hand hygiene is essential and parents should see to it that children have less hand to mouth contact. Also, children should be kept at home when unwell so that they don’t end up spreading the disease among their peers. And having good freshly cooked food is advisable,” said Dr Preethi.

Good nourishment is essential throughout the year so that the immunity level is well developed, Jyothi Prasad, chief dietician, Manipal Hospital, said. “Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and antioxidants should be consumed this season to fight the influenza virus. Intake of citrus fruits is especially important in this time of the year,” Prasad observed.