Cold wave hits children
Most city hospitals begin to receive child patients with cold related diseases like bronchial asthma, pneumonia, coughing, and rota viral diarrhoea as children are hit hard by the recent cold wave.
Almost all the babies seeking treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) are suffering from respiratory tract infections with fever, said Ariful Islam, resident physician of the hospital.
"Though normally we receive children with diarrhoea, typhoid, and other diseases at the outdoor; during this season the patients come with influenza, gastro enteritis, and respiratory tract infections" he said.
Muskan, a one month and 21 days old baby, was found basking on her mother's lap in front of the DMCH outdoor.
Muskan's father said they have had to visit the hospital four times since its birth as the baby catches cold frequently and faces severe breathing problem.
Two-year-old Trisha, Raihan, and Merry also saw doctors for the same reason while Kaosar, a one year and nine months old baby, had been suffering from rota viral diarrhoea for last two weeks.
"As the rota virus becomes more virulent in winter, the children aged between 6 and 18 months don't have enough antibody to resist the virus, " said Prof Dr Shahadat Hossain, of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B).
He also said 70 percent children receiving treatment at the ICDDR, B currently are 6 to 18 months of age.
Prof Shahidullah of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said the number of children with common cold has been doubled compared to a month before.
"The children must be covered with warm clothes properly. As the children are not able to take care of themselves, parents should remain cautious so the babies are not infected with the virus and bacteria," he suggested.
The doctors of Mitford Hospital and Dhaka Shishu Hospital said the child patients have not been admitted to hospital in larger number, though their suffering due to the chilly weather have increased significantly. Most of them are provided treatment at the outdoor department, they said.
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