6 common illnesses that occur in autumn

The transitional weather from summer to autumn, with its erratic temperature fluctuations, is one of the causes of many illnesses.

Respiratory diseases

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung - former Head of the Pediatrics Department (Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi), respiratory illnesses are common in autumn, and children are even more susceptible.

- Upper respiratory tract infections are common and bothersome because they affect daily life. Acute cases cause high or moderate fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, voice changes, loss of voice, and redness of the throat lining. If not treated promptly and completely, it can progress to bronchitis, pneumonia, and easily become chronic.

- Lower respiratory tract infections are less common, including laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, and are often severe. This season, three types of influenza viruses (A, B, and C) cause outbreaks of acute respiratory infections, with influenza A easily forming epidemics and complications such as acute sinusitis and otitis media.

- Bronchitis causes shortness of breath, wheezing, frequent coughing, and phlegm.

Children are particularly susceptible to respiratory illnesses during the autumn season.

To prevent respiratory illnesses in the autumn, you need to keep your body warm and wear a mask when going outside. This is especially important for young children; in the early morning and at night, pay attention to keeping them warm, avoiding overly thick clothing to prevent excessive sweating which can lead to catching a cold. Maintain good personal hygiene, washing your hands thoroughly before eating, after going outside, and after visiting public places.

When experiencing symptoms of the above-mentioned diseases, it is important to see a doctor early to receive appropriate medication and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Flu

Another common illness that occurs in autumn is the flu. This disease is caused by a virus and spreads through the air or direct contact with an infected person. Symptoms typically include nasal congestion, runny nose, fever, headache, dizziness, cough, sore throat, and loss of appetite. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, especially with a high fever, you should seek medical attention early to avoid complications.

Influenza viruses are easily spread through the saliva and nasal/phlegm secretions of infected individuals. Therefore, proper handwashing before eating, after using the toilet, and after touching household items when family members have the flu is important to eliminate pathogens. Eating foods rich in vitamin C can help prevent the flu and support overall immune system function. Children over 6 months old can receive a flu vaccination once a year.

Dengue fever

The humid weather during the transition from summer to autumn creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed and multiply. Children are more susceptible to disease than adults, especially those living in areas with many mosquitoes, rivers, canals, and stagnant water.

Symptoms of dengue fever include a sudden and continuous high fever (39-40°C) for 2-4 days, the appearance of scattered petechiae (small hemorrhagic spots) under the skin, possible bleeding in the oral mucosa, and bloody stools.

When a child is sick, absolutely do not use Aspirin to reduce fever if you suspect dengue fever, as it can easily increase the risk of bleeding. Instead, give them Paracetamol to reduce fever and quickly take them to the hospital.

To prevent mosquito bites, wear long-sleeved clothing and sleep under mosquito nets both day and night. For young children, avoid keeping them in dark, damp places to prevent mosquito bites; apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin to protect them. Keep your house clean, and consider using mosquito repellent or planting insect-repelling plants like basil and mint.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is an acute viral infection transmitted through the digestive tract, commonly affecting young children and capable of causing large outbreaks. Characteristic signs include fever, sore throat, and lesions on the oral mucosa and skin, primarily in the form of blisters, often found on the palms, soles, knees, and buttocks.

The disease can cause dangerous complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, myocarditis, acute pulmonary edema, and can lead to death if not detected and treated promptly.

To prevent infection, it is necessary to isolate the source of infection. The virus that causes Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with nasal secretions, throat secretions, saliva, fluid from blisters, or feces of an infected person. In addition, maintain personal hygiene by washing hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before eating, after using the toilet, and after playing. Wash children's toys thoroughly with soap.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a common disease, especially during the autumn months. This is due to the changing weather from sunny to rainy, and high humidity weakening the body's immune system. Poor hygiene, contaminated water, and sharing towels and pillows create favorable conditions for viruses to spread rapidly, leading to outbreaks in the community.

Patients with conjunctivitis typically experience redness in one eye first, then spreading to the second, along with discomfort, a gritty feeling in the eye, and excessive discharge. The eyelids may be swollen, puffy, painful, and watery.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) spreads very quickly. Currently, there is no specific cure to eliminate the virus that causes conjunctivitis. Usually, the symptoms subside and resolve after about 10 days; treatment is mainly supportive.

Therefore, everyone needs to pay attention to prevention. Always ensure personal hygiene, frequently wash hands with soap and clean water. Use separate towels, pillows, and washbasins. Face towels and bath towels should be washed thoroughly with soap and dried in the sun to kill bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Instill 0.9% saline solution into the eyes daily.

Limit contact with people who have eye infections. Do not buy eye drops or use other people's medication when you are sick. Do not apply mulberry leaves, betel leaves, etc., to your eyes as this can worsen the infection.

Stomach diseases

Few people realize that stomach problems are common in autumn. However, many studies show that those with existing stomach issues are at increased risk during this season. This is due to the irritation from cold air, increased levels of histamine in the blood, increased secretion of stomach acid, and strong contractions of the digestive tract, which reduce the body's resistance and adaptability to the climate.

In autumn, we often have a greater appetite and eat more, which puts extra strain on the digestive system and makes stomach problems more likely to recur.

To prevent stomach problems, people should pay attention to dressing warmly, exercising to reduce the likelihood of developing the disease, eating a balanced diet at each meal, avoiding overeating and dividing meals into smaller portions, and refraining from smoking and drinking alcohol.

According to GiadinhNet