PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Doctors have emphasised the importance of children drinking clean water and eating safe food during the ongoing season to prevent waterborne illnesses. They said this after they had noted an increase in cases of diarrhoea and vomiting among children recently. The increase in temperature encourages children to consume outdoor beverages, such as sugarcane juice, which raises the risk of water contamination and subsequently leads to an uptick in illness, doctors said.
Medical superintendent at the Community Health Centre (CHC) Raipur and paediatrician Dr PS Rawat said that the rise in temperature causes discomfort in children and affects their metabolism, which can weaken their immunity. This period also sees a greater incidence of waterborne infections due to contaminated water, making children more susceptible to illnesses. Consequently, the number of diarrhoea and vomiting cases has escalated, with an increased risk of typhoid as well. Children suffering from this may experience vomiting, loose stools and other symptoms.
Dr Rawat advised that to prevent these issues, children should ensure that they consume safe beverages. They should prefer drinks that have been properly cleaned, avoid drinking water directly from the tap (instead, boil it before storing it in earthen pots) and prioritise safe, treated, or boiled water. Additionally, proper hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap before meals and after using the toilet, maintaining proper sanitation and sewage disposal and washing fruits and vegetables with clean water are crucial. It’s also critical to avoid consuming contaminated food and water, he said.
Further reiterating these points, pediatrician at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital Vishal Kaushik noted that as temperatures rise, children are more likely to opt for outdoor drinks, like sugarcane juice. This season sees a higher chance of water contamination, leading to increased cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in OPD. Currently, there has been an increase of about five to 10 per cent in these cases. To mitigate such health risks, children are urged to maintain hygiene, ensure they drink clean water and limit their intake of outdoor beverages. These precautions will play a vital role in preventing diseases among children, he said.
