Ailments in children during monsoon period- By Dr Gurdeep Singh Dhooria
Though monsoon brings relief from excessive dry heat but at the same time, it also brings with it pain, illness, discomfort and everyday hardships for children as well as adults. Temperature and humidity changes in monsoon encourage viruses...
cityairnews
Aug 5, 2015 12:30
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Though monsoon brings relief from excessive dry heat but at the same time, it also brings with it pain, illness, discomfort and everyday hardships for children as well as adults. Temperature and humidity changes in monsoon encourage viruses to grow and stagnant water is the breeding ground for mosquitoes. The common mosquito maladies are classified into three basic categories i.e. Mosquito borne diseases, which include Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya, Water and food borne diseases like Gastroenteritis, Typhoid, Cholera, Viral Hepatitis and Air borne diseases like cold, flu, bronchitis.
Vaccination is the most advisable to protect against diseases in this weather. Vaccines available to protect diseases rampant in this weather are H influenza, Pneumococcal, Flu, Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccine.
Hand-washing is the easiest and best preventive measure in avoiding infections and inhibiting viral spread. When not at home, using hand sanitizer is a must. Cutting your child's nails regularly goes a long way in preventing diseases. Caretaker feeding the child must always wash hands before cooking and feeding the baby.
Prevention Measures
For mosquito borne diseases-
o Using mosquito nets or repellants.
o Covering all water bodies in and around your home.
o Putting wire mesh on windows.
o Keep windows and doors closed in evening.
o Garbage disposal should be done properly and garbage should not be allowed to
o accumulate near your home.
o Frequently change water in flower vase at home.
o Avoid stagnant water in any form in and around your home.
For water and food borne diseases-
o Using boiled water.
o Eating freshly cooked hot food at home.
o Avoiding outside food and water.
For air borne diseases -
o Frequent hand washing helps.
o Staying away from people who have cough/cold.
o Adults should take treatment immediately if they work as staff in schools or live in
homes with infants.
o Teach your child to use a hankie and cover his mouth when he coughs or sneezes.
(The Author is Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, DMCH, Ludhiana.)
Date:
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
