With the minimum temperature hovering around 10 degree Celsius for the past fortnight, 15-20% of children are suffering from severe upper respiratory tract infections.
The unusually chilly weather has sent the children for cover, literally. With the minimum temperature hovering around 10 degree Celsius for the past fortnight, 15-20% of children are suffering from severe upper respiratory tract infections.
Fluctuating temperature, along with pollution, has resulted in more children becoming susceptible to upper respiratory tract illness. Most of the children suffer from respiratory bronchiolitis, viral respiratory tract infections and viral pneumonia. Doctors said the erratic weather in the city is leading to children going through bouts of breathlessness, wheezing, cold, cough and high grade fever.
Dr Vijay Yewale, senior child physician, said: “We are witnessing a 15-20% children visiting for the third time this season with severe upper respiratory problem. Last two months have been the worst winter in terms of upper respiratory problem among children in the last few years.” He added that repeated upper respiratory problem has made the children more susceptible to secondary infections.
Dr Nitin Shah, consultant paediatrician from the PD Hinduja Hospital, said: “At least 50% of the children I am getting are for upper respiratory tract illness. Wheezing is the most common problem. The combination of fluctuating temperature along with pollution has resulted in more children becoming susceptible to upper respiratory tract illness.”
According to Dr Shah, in the last two months he has seen patients returning with same symptoms after every 10-15 days.
The difference between day-time and night-time temperatures has been more than 16 degrees on most days this season, while temperature fluctuations above 15 degrees in a day are considered harmful for the human body.
Dr Tanu Singhal, consultant pediatrician and infectious disease specialist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai. Ambani Hospital, said, “Fluctuation in temperatures encourages growth of virus and bacteria. We are getting children with repeated episode of upper respiratory tract infection. Most of them are below the age group of 5. There are 5-6 types of viruses that causes upper respiratory tract infection.” Doctors have advised parents to ensure their children drink water even if they do not feel thirsty.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}