Trending:

Summertime and children's illnesses: Paediatricians name symptoms, list preventive steps

The Indian summer can really roast well. It is quite a task to keep children safe from the sweltering heat and protected from seasonal illnesses that crop up in summer. Here's a primer on what are the illnesses that circulate at this time of the year and what does well-known paediatricians advise?

Kirti Pandey

Updated Mar 30, 2022, 00:29 IST

Children's illness, however light, leave the parent worried.

Photo : iStock

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Two years of the pandemic-related changes in working mode meant children remained indoors a lot.
Since a few months ago, certain schools began in-person classes, the work-from-home pattern is almost over.
Now as summer begins to peak, children will face the threat of seasonal illnesses. Here's how to prepare them to stay safe.

India - being a tropical country - does witness several seasons and extreme temperatures; then be it winter, summer or monsoon. That is the reason why in the northern part of the country schools are shut from May to June and open only in July. But summer peaks earlier in the western part of the country, so schools are closed there in April and May. With the Kerala monsoon entering India in the first week of June, schools in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh begin work.

This summer spell (March to May) and the cusp between summer and the rainy season (June-July) is the season when most children fall ill.

Thanks to the rising mercury, certain illnesses flourish as the weather is ideal for pathogens to thrive and spread.

Parents need to be alert to children complaining of sore eyes, itchy or blistered skin and asthma — the list is long.

It is best to pay a visit to your children's paediatrician to check if all vaccines are in order and if there are any extra precautions one must take.

Here are some common illnesses that children and parents must watch out for and some tips for staying healthy during the summer season.

Asthma: This is the time of the year when pollen dust floats in the air. The heat and humidity make matters worse for children who have allergies. Watch out for symptoms like tiredness, wheezing, a whistling sound when breathing in or out, coughing and shortness of breath, as lack of air movement can trap pollutants like dust and moulds into the airways. Your child's doctor should check out any illness that makes it hard for them to breathe. To prevent asthma attacks or to keep them from getting worse, don’t let anyone smoke when they are near the child, keep homes dust-free, dust-mite-free, as well as clear of any pests and allergens.
Chickenpox: Chickenpox causes spots (a rash), fever, headache and can make a child feel generally unwell. Treatment aims to ease symptoms until the illness goes. This viral infection typically affects children, which is why the first dose of varicella vaccine should be given to kids between ages 12 and 15 months and the second dose from age 4 to 6. Full recovery is usual in children aged under 12 years. The ones who need extra attention are the ones with compromised immunity. Since chickenpox can be transmitted through direct contact with the rash or inhalation of air droplets, those who are sick should avoid going to public areas to prevent the infection from spreading.
Conjunctivitis (sore eyes): Pink eye is commonly caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction, or — in babies — an incompletely opened tear duct. It is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. Though there is redness, discharge, irritation, conjunctivitis rarely affects vision. As it can be contagious, early diagnosis and treatment can help limit its spread. Teach the child to wash hands thoroughly and frequently.
Flu or Influenza: The COVID-19 pandemic has taught the young and old alike to mask up. It is a habit worth encouraging even as the pandemic subsides. As influenza virus spreads the same way, through the air and via touching contaminated objects. Although influenza viruses are also prevalent in cold weather, they can still cause summer flu. Weather changes, like sudden downpours or the body's maladjustment to sudden changes in temperature (hot outdoor to cool indoor environments and vice versa), can make someone susceptible to respiratory diseases like cough and colds. Continue the same steps of frequent hand-washing and avoid closed and ill-ventilated spaces. Flu shots that a doctor advises must be taken for the child's health benefit. Flu can cause fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Bedrest, antiviral medications, and adequate fluid intake are effective in alleviating flu symptoms.
Food poisoning: Children love to eat outside. Foodborne illnesses are twice more common during the summer season than in other months of the year since food spoils easily—no thanks to bacteria that thrive in warm weather conditions. The diarrhoea and vomiting that follow the ingestion of unhygienic, infected food can lead to dehydration and, possibly, complications for those with chronic health conditions. Even at home, it is advisable to avoid eating perishable foods one to two hours after being left out of the refrigerator or as soon as the food develops moulds or an unpleasant smell. There have been cases of kidney and liver damage due to acute food poisoning. When you are unsure about how clean or unclean is the pantry, don't order food from the place.
Hyperthermia or Heatstroke: Children love playing in the open fields and playgrounds. This setting also exposes them to harsh heat. Hyperthermia is a condition where the body temperature becomes abnormally high, signalling that it cannot regulate heat coming from the environment. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are medical emergencies that fall under hyperthermia. You must consult a doctor immediately. A hyperthermia-affected child may complain about a headache, dizziness, disorientation, fainting, heavy sweating, and cramps. As a preventive measure, avoid permitting the child to play in the high heat hours of the day. As evening approaches, you can allow it.
Mumps: Mumps is a viral infection that primarily affects saliva-producing (salivary) glands that are located near your ears. Mumps can cause swelling in one or both of these glands. It is caused by a paramyxovirus that is spread through an infected person’s droplets of saliva. It is concentrated around the salivary glands near the ears, causing them to swell. This inflammation on one or both sides of the face may cause pain or difficulty in chewing or swallowing. Mumps may also be accompanied by a fever, headache, and muscle pains. Since vaccinations took root, mumps is rare but outbreaks generally affect people who aren't vaccinated and occur in close-contact settings such as schools or college campuses. People at risk of complications, such as an immuno-suppressed child, or a pregnant woman, should see a doctor specializing in infectious diseases.
Measles: The rubeola virus that causes measles, spreads much like the way chickenpox does. The child may complain of symptoms such as dry cough, high fever, runny nose, and reddening of the eyes. Measles can also cause complications ranging from ear infections to pneumonia, including pregnancy problems for women. The infected mother may pass on health damage to the developing foetus, inadvertently. Ask the child's doctor if your baby's vaccines are in order. MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is a way to give people immunity against the disease.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

Latest News