Hospitalizations of children increase due to unusual weather

The hot and erratic weather due to rains increases the humidity in the air. This is a favorable condition for pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, etc. to develop, attack and cause diseases in humans, especially children with weak resistance.

At the Department of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases (Dam Ha District Medical Center), in May and early June (as of June 15, 2023), many children with flu, diarrhea, and pneumonia were treated (mostly children hospitalized due to viral fever with 35 cases).

Doctor Chieu Quay Ngan, Head of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases Department, Dam Ha District Medical Center examines children.

Doctor Chieu Quay Ngan, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine - Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases (Dam Ha District Medical Center), said: During peak hot spells, our department receives many children with viral fever, pneumonia, and diarrhea. On June 10, the department received the first case of hand, foot, and mouth disease that had to be hospitalized since the beginning of the year. Fortunately, the child's family had knowledge about hand, foot, and mouth disease and took the child to the center for emergency treatment in time.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a disease that has seen a significant increase in the number of cases in the past 2 months nationwide. According to the Ministry of Health, through the infectious disease surveillance system, from the beginning of the year to June 6, 2023, the country recorded 8,995 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease; of which there were 3 deaths. In Quang Ninh province, according to monitoring data from the provincial Center for Disease Control, from the beginning of the year to June 10, 2023, the province recorded 76 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease. Hand, foot and mouth disease is common in children under 5 years old, most commonly in children under 3 years old, with a very high potential for spread, and is particularly related to personal hygiene and the environment.

Hand, foot and mouth disease, a disease that is very common in children during hot weather.

Ms. Ly Sam Mui, mother of patient La Phuc Nghia (12 months old), who was recorded as the first case of hand, foot and mouth disease to be hospitalized in recent times at Dam Ha District Medical Center, shared: At home, I saw my child having a fever all day long, crying, and then seeing red blisters on the palms and soles of his feet, so I took him to the Medical Center for treatment. Around my house, I have not seen any children with this disease. The doctors here have instructed me on how to clean my child, feed him enough to help him get well quickly and prevent other diseases in this hot weather.

At Bai Chay Hospital, the number of children admitted to the hospital has also increased during the hot weather. On average, the hospital's Pediatrics Department receives 15-20 new children every day. Common diseases during this period are respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media, rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis; gastrointestinal diseases such as acute diarrhea caused by viruses or bacteria causing food poisoning. It is worth noting that there are cases of severe dehydration leading to shock and severe cases of pneumonia requiring prolonged treatment.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Son, Deputy Head of the Pediatrics Department (Bai Chay Hospital), said: Some unusual signs of children in hot weather that parents need to pay attention to in order to take them to the doctor and receive timely treatment are high fever; frequent coughing, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing or abnormal breathing sounds; frequent vomiting, inability to eat or drink; headache, convulsions, changes in consciousness, confusion; loose stools, blood. Families need to pay attention not to let children go outside during peak hot weather (around 9-16h). At the same time, it is necessary to give children enough water, eat foods containing vitamins, pay attention to ensure food, avoid spoilage; avoid contact with people who are sick with fever; adjust the air conditioner to 27-28 ^degrees Celsius, not too different from the outside temperature, especially do not go in and out of the air-conditioned room continuously because sudden changes in temperature can affect the health of children.

To help children be best protected during the hot season, families need to proactively vaccinate their children with all available vaccines to prevent dangerous infectious diseases; guide children in age-appropriate sports and supplement nutrients in their daily meals to improve their resistance.

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