Seasonal illnesses: Do’s & Don’ts To Protect Children, Oldies From Weather changes

Wraa Noor

Islamabad: Due to seasonal changes and sudden temperature fluctuations, people should take extra precautions to protect their children and senior citizens from viral infections, including chest infections, say health experts based in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Dr Muzna Shah, a health expert based in Islamabad, stated that cold and flu illnesses in kids and older citizens shouldn’t be treated lightly because they might cause pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections. The worst wintertime sufferers are those who have weakened immune systems.

Dr Shah said, “Climate change consistently causes various illnesses in people. Older people’s breathing difficulties are made worse by high air pollution levels.”

“Viral infections are highly prevalent among adults nowadays. Patients with symptoms like a sore throat, high fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting are increasingly being reported during this season, said Dr Imran Chaudhary, a Classified Child Specialist at Fauji Foundation. “Also, chest infections are quite severe in kids,” Dr Imran added.

PIMS Child Specialist Dr Traiq, when asked, said that the most prevalent seasonal diseases among children, especially in winter, are reactive airway disease, viral sore throat, viral flu, allergic sore throat, allergic flu, allergic cough, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis.

In PIMS Children OPD, around 500 to 600 patients visit on a daily, and nearly 80–90 per cent of them show respiratory symptoms such as viral sore throat, allergic sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, viral flu, pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other respiratory diseases,” Dr Tariq informed.

Dr Tariq said children who are more vulnerable to catching these seasonal diseases are those who have a family history of atopic allergies, allergic diseases, and asthma. They are three to 10 times more at risk of developing seasonal allergies. Also, children who are immunodeficient or have cerebral palsy are more likely to suffer from the aforementioned diseases.

Medical Consultant Dr Uzair told that though gastroenteritis is a four-season illness, cases of the illness are increasing, so people must be cautious when eating hygienic food and washing their hands.

Dr Uzair stated that pollen allergy cases in Islamabad will increase now as extremely high pollen concentrations are observed in spring (March–May). So those who are sensitive to it should take measures by wearing masks and avoiding areas where pollen loads are higher.

The suspended pollen grains in the air reach the human respiratory track through inhalation, triggering a type of seasonal allergy called pollen allergy.

Do’s & Don’ts

Dr Tariq advised that school-going kids and those who play outside must wear masks. The best approach to protecting your child is to administer proper vaccinations via the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which is free in government hospitals.

Families who have a history of asthma and allergies must be administered the seasonal itch and influenza vaccines, as well as the pneumococcal vaccine. Moreover, honey, soup, chicken stock, and qehwa must be included in the daily routine diet of kids over one year of age.

Dr Muzna Shah informed that special precautionary measures are required to protect senior folks from a chest infection because the changing weather poses a significant risk to them.

She suggested that parents may also lower kids’ chance of catching a cold or the flu by teaching them to routinely wash their hands with soap and warm water. “While overwrapping can sometimes make children perspire, which is bad for them, I also advise parents to only dress their kids in warm sweaters and clothing.”

Dr Shah advised that children should also learn to avoid close contact and sharing food and utensils with others. Kids should also refrain from putting anything other than food, including their hands, in their mouths.

Dr Imran Chaudhary recommended that adults must avoid cold and fizzy drinks, and sour foods. Parents should not take children out of the house unnecessarily. If they want to bathe their kids, it is preferable to do it during sunny days; otherwise, avoid it during this season.

Health expert added that raising public awareness of health issues will help minimise the danger of the spread of various diseases and the number of illnesses-related deaths.

They said seasonal changes are like clockwork and take place every year without fail. Every time temperatures drop or increase infections are on the rise. The health practitioners say colds, sore throats, flu and allergies occur frequently with every change in season.