Seasonal outbreak
Pneumonia on the rise, stay cautioned
The recent report of rising number of Pneumonia cases among the children in different parts of Bangladesh, especially in northern districts has raised the concern to parents, health experts. Experts identified weather change the main reason behind the sudden surge of Pneumonia, superadded by flourishing of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) followed by secondary bacterial infection, malnutrition and lack of awareness on how to care children.
Experts from Save the Children, Bangladesh advised the following cautions to prevent and manage pneumonia in children.
* Keep your child warm: Winter air can dry out airways and make the child vulnerable to develop Pneumonia. Cover your child properly to protect from cold.
* Exclusively breastfeeding: Breastfeed exclusively up to six months of age protects a child from pneumonia by providing a natural immunity boost. Exclusive breastfeeding can reduce the rate of Pneumonia among young infants by 15 to 23 percent.
* Prompt management: Pneumonia can usually be treated with a course of antibiotics administered at home, but without treatment in the early stages, it can be fatal. When you see the symptoms of Pneumonia that include fast or difficult breathing, coughing, chest indrawing, fever, chills, loss of appetite, wheezing, ensure timely treatment. If the child is treated at home or community, assess the child closely and refer to a nearby healthcare facility as quickly as possible. Most of the deaths occur in delaying to bring the child to a healthcare centre.
* Ensure immunisation: Although child Pneumonia deaths can be prevented with vaccines, not all these vaccines are widely available in the country. Bangladesh has rolled out the Hib vaccine, which is expected to reduce pneumonia prevalence by one third. Make sure your child got it along with other routine vaccine.
* Handwashing: Help your child growing the habit of handwashing. It is one of the cheapest and effective ways to prevent respiratory infections.
* Ensure nutrition: Make sure your child has a healthy balanced diet and maintains a healthy weight. Being underweight or overweight can increase your child's risk of getting Pneumonia.
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