PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The ongoing monsoon season, coupled with increased dampness in homes, has led to a spike in allergies and viral infections among children. Doctors said OPDs are witnessing a higher number of paediatric cases due to the combination of humidity, moisture and seasonal weather.
Medical superintendent at Community Health Centre (CHC) Doiwala, Dr PS Rawat said the current monsoon, with high humidity and dampness in residences, has resulted in increased cases of allergies, fungal infections, water-borne diseases and viral infections among children.
“Nowadays in the OPD, children are coming with colds and coughs, skin allergies like fungal infection along with bacterial infection. Cases of water-borne diseases have also increased,” Rawat said.
He advised that precautions are necessary to prevent these ailments. “Drink clean water, wash hands properly, avoid eating stale and uncovered food. Also avoid open defecation. These precautions will help in prevention of infections and allergies among children,” he added.
Further, paediatrician at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital Dr Vishal Kaushik said dampness in houses during the monsoon has contributed to a rise in allergies cases which includes asthma among children. He said viral infections, upper respiratory issues and water-borne diseases have also gone up.
“The OPD of children with these ailments has increased by 25 per cent as compared to normal days. In these ailments, children suffer from cough and cold in allergies and fever, abdominal pain and loose stools in infections,” Kaushik said.
To prevent the spread, he advised that children suffering from viral infections should isolate themselves, wear masks, eat freshly prepared food and drink boiled or RO water.
He also said that for children prone to allergies, parents should ensure they do not sit or sleep in areas where there is dampness.
