Doctors at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital examine a child patient. Photo: LE HUNG
The number of children with respiratory illnesses is increasing.
The number of pediatric patients seeking treatment at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has increased in recent days. On average, the hospital receives 1,000-1,300 patients for examination and emergency care each day, with children accounting for approximately 70%. Upon examination, doctors have found that the majority of children suffer from respiratory illnesses.
According to Dr. Le Van Dung, Deputy Head of the General Examination and Emergency Department (Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital), the cold weather causes children to constantly cough, have fevers, runny noses, and sore throats… These are common symptoms of respiratory illnesses. Therefore, parents should keep their children warm and ensure a proper diet to boost their immunity during the cold season.
In particular, children should be taken to a medical facility immediately for examination if they exhibit any of the following signs: seizures; high fever lasting for two or more days or a high fever that is difficult to bring down; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; severe abdominal pain, etc.
According to the Pediatric Respiratory Department (Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital), the number of inpatients has increased significantly. The head of the Pediatric Respiratory Department stated that during the cold season, children often suffer from respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchiolitis, and laryngotracheitis. The main reason for the increase in respiratory illnesses among children is the cold weather and rain, which increases humidity. Children have weak immune systems, making them more susceptible to viral infections.
To protect children from illness during this time, parents should remember to keep them warm, have them wear masks, avoid exposure to cold air, ensure they receive vaccinations on schedule, and provide them with nutritious food to boost their immune system.
Pay special attention to regularly washing your child's hands and nose/throat. In addition, ensure your child has a nutritious diet, increased intake of green vegetables, and plenty of fruit juice.
Furthermore, respiratory illnesses are on the rise, making children susceptible to cross-infection in the classroom or contact with carriers. Parents need to proactively cooperate with the school in preventing and controlling related illnesses in the classroom, especially in preschool classes and groups.
The cold weather has caused many children to suffer from respiratory illnesses. Photo: LE HUNG
Special attention should be paid to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Regarding weather-related illnesses, doctors at the Department of Respiratory and Immunology (Da Nang Hospital) believe that special attention should be paid to the elderly, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions. Changing weather, colder temperatures, and drier air weaken the immune system's ability to fight viruses. Low temperatures essentially cause damage to epithelial cells, which are already highly susceptible to injury, creating openings for viruses and bacteria to enter the body.
Representatives from the Department of Respiratory and Immunology stated that older adults often have pre-existing chronic conditions that weaken their immune systems. Changes in weather can trigger these pre-existing conditions, leading to various illnesses, especially colds, pneumonia, allergic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Furthermore, chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can worsen over time due to weather changes.
To prevent illnesses caused by cold weather in the elderly, attention should be paid to keeping the body warm, proper nutrition, and exercise. Avoid sudden temperature changes; if waking up early to exercise or having to go outside for errands, this should be taken into consideration.
According to Dr. Duong Quang Hai, Deputy Head of the Stroke Department (Da Nang Hospital), during the cold season, elderly people often drink less water, leading to blood thickening, causing blood clots that block blood vessels, resulting in stroke. Many young patients suffer from high blood pressure but do not seek treatment because they do not experience clear symptoms. However, when the weather turns cold, their blood pressure increases, causing cerebral hemorrhage and worsening their condition, leading to a high mortality rate.
"To reduce the risk of stroke, especially during the cold season, people with hypertension should regularly check their blood pressure and take medication to maintain stable blood pressure levels. Those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and the elderly are at increased risk of blood thickening and cerebral vascular occlusion during seasonal changes. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor these underlying conditions and receive proper healthcare, including adequate hydration to prevent dehydration which can lead to blood thickening and cerebral vascular occlusion," advised Dr. Duong Quang Hai.
Doctors advise that the most easily observable signs of a stroke are sudden heaviness on one side of the face, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, and speech disturbances. When a stroke is detected, it is important to prevent the patient from falling, to position the patient on their side, and to suction out any secretions if the patient is vomiting or choking. The patient should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible, especially to medical facilities capable of treating strokes, for timely intervention.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/chu-dong-phong-benh-mua-lanh-3319246.html
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