Thursday, 30 May 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
With mounting mercury, cases of diarrhoea among infants and children are rising in Dehradun, doctors said and added that such cases have increased by an average of 50 per cent. Children are suffering from dehydration as well due to inadequate intake of water. The doctors suggested parents make sure that the children take fresh meals and an adequate quantity of water to keep diarrhoea and dehydration at bay.
A paediatrician working for Mahant Indiresh Hospital Dr Vishal Kaushik said that the rising temperature results in rising cases of diarrhoea and dehydration among children. “During summer, this is common. This is because children are more susceptible to infections than adults. Common symptoms of acute diarrhoea include fever, headache, vomiting and watery stool. However, parents can keep their children safe from diarrhoea by taking some simple precautions. They must ensure that the children are not under any circumstances provided with stale food. Additionally, parents should make sure that their children’s water intake increases compared to normal days. Maintaining hygiene in their children’s surroundings is also important. We must remember one thing during this time when the whole region is sizzling hot. If they are properly hydrated diarrhoea will find it difficult to afflict them,” he added.
Another paediatrician at CMI Hospital Dr Apoorav Jain said that the onset of the summer season is accompanied by surging cases of diarrhoea among infants and children each year. “What we have seen is that such cases jump by 50 per cent when the mercury surges. Children afflicted by such ailments commonly exhibit symptoms like fever, vomiting, headache and stomach ache. If the infants or children display any of these symptoms, parents are advised to promptly seek medical attention,” Jain stated.
He further said that diarrhoea does not end with the onset of monsoon. “It may even rise in number. So, the parents must be on their guard after rains come. The parents’ role is immense here. They must ensure that infants are provided with fresh milk instead of stale milk. Further, children should be stopped from consuming junk food and encouraged to consume fluids like lemon water to stay safe from diarrhoea,” he added.
