According to Dr. Mahesh Balsekar, Senior Consultant (Pediatric Medicine), SRCC Children’s Hospital managed by Narayana Health, “Although the infection is rampant during the monsoon season, this year many viruses appear at the same time at different times. Staying indoors during COVID prevented us from having a common viral infection, a sort of “infection honeymoon.” There are concerns that it might lower our immunity and lead to an increase in infections this year.”
Talking about the commonly reported symptoms and health issues, Dr. Vineet Kwatra, Senior Consultant, Pediatrics, Medanta Hospital shared, “These days we are seeing children with high grade fever, cough and cold. are. They are also coming up with high-grade fever for more than 5-7 days, which is undoubtedly cases of typhoid and some dengue. This time we are also seeing cases of scrub typhus, where high grade fever in children lasts for more than 5-7 days and does not get better even with regular antibiotics. We are not getting any cases of swine flu yet, but yes, the cases of COVID in children have increased and we have seen that patients with normal flu-like symptoms in children have turned out to be COVID positive but the good thing is that all these cases are mild. are. in nature as they were before. Says Dr Balsekar.
How should the onset of fever be treated?
As soon as the parents see the child having fever, panic spreads. And that’s when most of us start self-medicating to control it. Kwatra suggests that parents should take home fever seriously, even if it is a mild fever for a day. The reason for this is that whatever diseases are seen by the pediatricians in this season, there is a mild fever, cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting and later uncontrolled fever. “I would thus suggest to the parents that if you find that the fever persists for more than 2 days, no fever medicine is coming, do not wait at home, please consult your pediatrician. Second, how to treat fever at home? The first and foremost thing for parents is to keep basic fever medicine like paracetamol at home. Paracetamol should be given every 6 hours before 4 hours. Now even if Paracetamol does not bring down the fever, start sponging the baby with tap water! Please do not use ice packs or cold water – this should be normal running tap water that can be used for sponging Even if the fever persists, the best way to reduce the fever is to bathe your child with normal running water. If the fever still persists for 24 hours, please visit your doctor as prescribed. I’ve given advice before.”
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Balsekar recommends that fevers should be treated only if the child feels uncomfortable, usually when the fever is above 101 F under the arm. “Parents should avoid trying to normalize the temperature and ‘break’ the fever as this leads to overdiagnosis. It is important to keep the child in a cool room, lightly dressed and well hydrated. Most fevers are mild. Are caused by a viral infection that gets better in 2-3 days. If the child is comfortable and well, the fever responds to fever medications, and there are no worrisome symptoms, then 48 hours before seeing a doctor However, any fever in young infants requires medical attention. Older children need to see a doctor if the fever is high or looks sick or has other worrying symptoms. Any Fever that is worsening or does not get better in 2-3 days needs a doctor’s attention.”
Importance of Influenza Vaccination
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends the ‘Flu’ or Influenza vaccine to all children after 6 months of age and every year until the age of 5. Older children are given the flu vaccine only when their immunity or chronic diseases have decreased. However, during the COVID pandemic, it has been suggested that older children should also be offered the flu vaccine. “It should be very clear with parents that this vaccination will not cover all types of flu in the air, but it certainly helps build our children’s immunity against deadly flu viruses, including swine flu. So my In suggestion, everyone should get a flu shot because prevention is always better than cure,” says Dr. Kwatra.
how to build immunity
A healthy diet plays an important role in boosting immunity. But a good diet, daily physical activity, adequate sleep, proper management of stress are some other important aspects of keeping a child healthy. Make sure they are given all important vaccines on time and take proper health precautions to avoid exposure to diseases.