Winter Health Tips For Children: Pediatrician Highlights Risks Of Viral Infections, Diet Precautions, & More In An Exclusive

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Dr Pradeep Kapoor, pediatrician, says parents should take care of children during winter. Children fall sick mostly due to viral diseases. Children should be given fluid like milk, fruit juice, fruits to protect them from dehydration if they have viral infection. Free Press talked to Dr Pradeep Kapoor on children’s health.

Excerpts:    

How can parents protect their children in winter?

September to February is known as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)  season during which children suffer most from viral diseases and flu. The virus attacks mostly children who are up to 18 years of age. It takes from 5 -7 days to cure. Parents should give fluids, milk, juice, fruits to protect children from dehydration if they have virus infection.

Which are common virus diseases among children?

Common cold, RSV, stomach flu are very common in children. RSV is just like bronchitis (asthma). Common cold generally occurs in children from 6 to 12 years of age but it can occur at any age. Affected children have fever. The stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is an infection of the stomach and intestines that can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever etc. RSV is a common cause of a type of chest infection called bronchiolitis. This can cause breathing problems. RSV can also cause a serious lung infection in babies and adults.  

Any bacterial disease, which attacks children?

Streptococcal disease is caused by the streptococcus bacteria, which can be found in the nose, throat. This is the only bacterial disease, which infects throat. Antibiotic is prescribed. Otherwise, no antibiotic is needed in any disease of children. Cabbage is causing brain related problems in children.

How to deal with this?

People should not eat raw vegetables like cabbage, cauliflowers, vegetables. They should be properly washed and cooked. Then, there is no problem. In pig dominated human population where open defecation is common practice, tap worm is found in cabbage, vegetables. If consumed raw, they can be harmful. Fast food consumption is popular with children.

How harmful it is?

In fast food like burger, raw vegetable is used, which harm children. There are chances of tap worm entering human body, which reaches our brain.

Any new vaccine or medicines in pipeline?

Dengue and malaria vaccines are in pipeline and most probably India will get through. India has done remarkable job in developing vaccine during Covid. So, we have now solid base for developing vaccines.