During the changing seasons, respiratory illnesses 'attack' children.

(Baonghean.vn) - With the changing seasons, bacteria and viruses thrive, making children susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Over the past four days, the number of children seeking examination and treatment at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital has surged.

At Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, approximately 200 children are admitted for examination and hospitalization each day, with 50% of them suffering from respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Bui Anh Son - Head of the Respiratory Department at Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, examines a patient.

Dr. Bui Anh Son, Head of the Respiratory Department, said: “During the changing seasons, bacteria and viruses thrive, making children susceptible to respiratory illnesses. From the beginning of October to November 4th, there were 748 patients treated at the department. In the last four days alone, there have been 236 patients, including 22 critically ill patients.”

The department mainly receives seriously ill patients transferred from lower-level hospitals. The number of children coming for examination and treatment has increased dramatically compared to normal times. The department currently only has 55 beds, so it's constantly overcrowded. We have to add extra beds in the hallway to accommodate all the patients.”

At the Respiratory Department of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, extra beds had to be placed in the hallway for patients to lie on.

Ms. Le Thi Mai, mother of 8-month-old Tran Thi Phuong (Nghi Thai commune, Nghi Loc district), said: "At home, my child had sneezing, a runny nose, fever, refused to eat or drink, and was fussy and crying. I went to the pharmacy to buy medicine for her for two consecutive days, but it didn't help, so I decided to take her to the hospital for examination. The doctor diagnosed her with acute bronchitis. After more than a day of treatment at the hospital, she is much better. Currently, she can eat and sleep well."

According to Dr. Son, the respiratory illnesses children suffer from are mainly bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchiolitis. For newborns and underweight babies, treatment is more difficult and prolonged. Of the total number of pediatric patients examined, more than 50% are related to respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, etc. In particular, pneumonia in young children progresses very quickly; therefore, the doctor advises parents to closely monitor the disease progression in outpatients, especially infants under 6 months old.

Ways to prevent illness in children

Dr. Bui Anh Son advises parents not to worry too much, but to take good care of their children to prevent illness during the changing seasons.

Illustrative image.

To protect children from illness during seasonal changes, ensure they receive all necessary vaccinations and avoid contact with sick individuals. Provide them with a nutritious diet. Food should be warmed before serving, and ensure they drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Maintain good personal hygiene to prevent chills caused by sweating. In particular, have your child wear a mask when going outdoors to avoid inhaling pathogens through the respiratory tract.

When parents notice unusual symptoms in their children such as: loss of appetite, unexplained fever, vomiting, restless sleep, sneezing, or runny nose, they should take the child to the hospital for examination and treatment according to the doctor's plan. They should not seek treatment based on information found online, as this can be costly and harmful. Absolutely do not use charcoal or wood-burning stoves to warm children, as this poses a risk of respiratory infections and, in severe cases, suffocation, endangering the child's life. Absolutely do not buy medication without a doctor's prescription.

Nowadays, many mothers, upon seeing their children sneeze or have a runny nose, immediately buy antibiotics from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. Even when children have a common fever due to teething or changes in weather, many mothers still "casually" buy antibiotics from pharmacies for their children. This behavior by parents is very dangerous, prolonging the child's illness, making treatment more difficult later on, and increasing risks and costs many times over.

Thu Hien