Children in West Bengal have been continuously falling ill for the past four to five months. Some recover briefly, only to fall sick again with a fever. Just a few days ago, there was a concerning outbreak of the Adenovirus. It had a significant impact on children aged one to two years. Some of them became so unwell that they had to be admitted to the hospital. The condition of certain children worsened to the point, where they had to be transferred to the ICU even. While the fear of COVID-19 has reduced a bit, this new Adenovirus outbreak hasn't subsided yet. Although the situation has improved, the fear of other viral infections remains. In this scenario, parents are anxious about their children's health.
Abhishek Poddar, a paediatric consultant at Kolkata's Apollo Multi speciality Hospital, says, “A major reason for children repeatedly falling ill is viral infections. Even though the Adenovirus infection is less severe than before, the danger has not entirely subsided. Some viruses are always around us, like the flu. Then there are other viruses (like RSV, Metapneumovirus, and Human Rhinovirus). The spread of the coronavirus has also not entirely stopped.”
Doctors suggest that being cautious can significantly reduce the risk. Parents need to know what to do and what not to do to keep their children safe. Dr Poddar emphasizes the importance of awareness regarding children's health. He says, “Adequate nourishment is crucial for a child. Their diet must be maintained properly. Fruits and vegetables should be included in their meals. We also need to ensure that children are receiving adequate vitamins.”
Wiping out the fear of COVID-19, the habit of wearing masks is almost gone. Dr Poddar advises caution on this matter. “Viral infections are on the rise. So, discontinuing the habit of wearing masks will not be appropriate. It is essential to administer the flu vaccine to children. If one child remains infection-free, the likelihood of spreading of infections will significantly decrease.”
This article has been produced on behalf of Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals by ABP Digital Brand Studio.
