Viral wave hits kids, doctors red flag respiratory distress

Nagpur: Seasonal changes and mingling among different groups have led to a surge in repeated illness in many children. Many cases of viral infections are being reported though most children are recovering soon. Doctors say parents need to watch for red flag signs but there is no need to panic if children suddenly suffer from cough cold and fever.

According to Dr Vivek Charade, paediatric intensivist, children are frequently falling ill, especially with respiratory infections causing cough and cold. “This is because of recurrent viral infections rather than single one. After viral infection, a child usually takes 5-7 days for complete recovery.

During this period, their immune power is decreased. However, even before recovery they are contracting second viral infection from their school mates, siblings and other family members. And result is continuation of illness,” he said.

Dr Abhishek Madhura, in-charge, Paediatric Respiratory Clinic, and associate professor, department of paediatrics at GMC, said, “A couple of weeks back we saw a barrage of lower respiratory tract infection, especially in kids under three years. Most were viral infections like the Rhinovirus and RSV virus, which are usually the culprit in winter months every year.”

This year, however, the viral wave hit us earlier than expected, said Dr Madhura and added that it could be because of the erratic weather condition which the city is experiencing lately.

Dr Satish Deopujari, paediatrician and professor emeritus at IGGMCH, said, “We are presently seeing viral infections, basically respiratory. Fortunately, most of the sick kids don’t need any specific treatment. We should control the fever, ensure kids take plenty of fluids and they eat well. Hydration and nutrition are most important for kids to come out of illness.”

Dr Deopujari said that signs like high fever, falling food intake, vomiting, urine output going down and drowsiness must raise an alarm and parents must rush the kid to doctor.

There has been a rise in viral infections like swine flu, dengue, hand-foot-mouth disease in recent times, as per Dr Charade. “Parents should pay attention to nutrition and hydration of their children. They should seek doctor’s advice if children are having recurring infections,” he said.

Dr Avinash Gawande, paediatrician and associate professor in community medicine at GMC, said seasonal change usually causes viral infections among kids this time of the year. “Dengue is rapidly increasing, prevalence of typhoid fever and hand-foot-mouth disease is going up. Onset of dengue is accompanied with high-grade fever, no response to oral medicines, fever with chills, nausea and vomiting,” he said.