Unstable weather, be careful of the risk of disease

For many days now, people in Ho Chi Minh City have been facing hot and humid weather during the day and storms in the evening. Unstable weather can affect health, especially for children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.

On the morning of August 7, at the Respiratory Department 1, Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, more than 170 children are being treated for respiratory diseases, mainly acute bronchiolitis, pneumonia, asthma, etc. In the emergency room alone, medical staff are caring for about 20 children, mostly under 12 months old. Many cases have respiratory contractions, wheezing, need oxygen support through a nasal probe, and physical therapy to remove mucus, making breathing easier.

After many days of treatment at a lower level, baby Tran Ngoc Nha Uyen (2 years old, living in Dong Nai province) still had not stopped coughing and had difficulty breathing. After examination, the doctor ordered blood tests, chest X-rays and recommended that baby Nha Uyen be hospitalized for pneumonia treatment.

Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Nhi, the patient's mother, could not help but worry because pneumonia often lasts a long time and requires the use of many antibiotics. "I thought that after seeing an outpatient and giving my child medicine at home, it would be fine. After being hospitalized, I realized why so many children have pneumonia and asthma. The hotter the weather, the more uncomfortable and tired the children are," Ms. Nguyen Tuyet Nhi shared.

Also at this time, Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is treating 120 children in the Respiratory Department, while the City Children's Hospital has nearly 60 children hospitalized for similar illnesses, with symptoms such as cough, runny nose, wheezing, chest tightness...

A girl with pneumonia is being examined at Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, August 7.

According to Dr. Nguyen Hoang Phong, Head of Respiratory Department 1, Children's Hospital 2, unusual weather and temperature differences will adversely affect the health of young children, including the risk of respiratory diseases. The younger the age group, the higher the risk of disease and complications, especially when children have underlying diseases. At present, although there has not been an unusual increase in respiratory diseases, doctors recommend that parents take preventive measures to avoid serious illness before taking their children to the doctor.

Because the disease is scattered throughout the year, parents should maintain preventive measures for children such as: keeping the living environment clean and hygienic; providing enough water during the day; absolutely not letting children come into contact with cigarette smoke; wearing masks and disinfecting hands when going to crowded places; maintaining the air conditioner temperature at 25-26oC. Children need to see a specialist if they have symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, sneezing. It is forecasted that in about a month from now, when the new school year begins, the peak of respiratory diseases in children may appear and last until December.

Dr. Tran Van Ngoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Association, said that hot weather during the day but rain at the end of the day can lead to respiratory infections. High temperatures also raise concerns about the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and respiratory failure in the elderly and those with underlying diseases.

To protect their health, people should avoid direct exposure to sunlight for long periods of time; avoid excessive physical activity in hot weather; drink plenty of water and avoid dehydration. In addition, patients should closely control underlying diseases, especially high blood pressure, because blood pressure can increase very high in extreme weather conditions.

TRANSPORTATION

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thoi-tiet-that-thuong-can-trong-nguy-co-mac-benh-post807363.html