Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Cold-related illnesses have been severely affecting children and the elderly as the cold has tightened its grip across Dhaka and the rest of the country over the past few days.
18 month-old Rabiul Alam Nishat has been suffering from fever and diarrhoea for several days.
Additionally, he is experiencing cold, cough and breathing difficulties.
Under a doctor’s advice, the child is now using a nebulizer.
His father, Rashedul Alam, said: “My son is enduring great discomfort due to fever, diarrhea, cold, cough and breathing issues. Every winter, he falls sick. It’s not just my child; many children in our neighborhood are also affected by cold-related illnesses.”
According to doctors, winter is a season when children are more susceptible to illnesses such as diarrhea, colds, coughs and respiratory problems.
Reports from major hospitals in Dhaka, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, Azimpur Maternity Hospital and Institute of Child Health and the Cholera Hospital, reveal a surge in patients suffering from diarrhea and cold-related illnesses.
Most of the patients coming to these hospitals are children, with the number of pediatric outpatients seeking treatment for fever, colds and pneumonia nearly doubling compared to usual times.
Doctors attribute this rise in cold-related illnesses to the sudden drop in temperatures this year.
The majority of patients seeking medical care at hospitals and clinics are children, who are often found to be suffering from respiratory infections and pneumonia.
Cases of asthma among children have also increased.
Many children are brought to doctors late, as parents often administer medication from local pharmacies first, leading to complications.
At Azimpur Maternity Hospital, a seven-month-old child named Khalid Hasan from Kamrangirchar was admitted to the pediatric department on December 18.
He is being treated for pneumonia, with his condition showing some improvement after receiving nebulizer treatment three times a day.
Hundreds of other children, like Khalid, are being admitted to the hospital for illnesses such as colds, coughs, fevers, diarrhea, and pneumonia.
Dr Rabeya Sultana of Azimpur Maternity Hospital noted that air pollution, coupled with the cold weather, is further increasing health risks for children.
She said: “The majority of patients coming in for treatment are suffering from cold-related diseases, with several children currently hospitalized for pneumonia.”
Prof Dr Mahbubul Alam, Director of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, mentioned that children are not only affected by the cold but also by air pollution, leading to fever, colds, coughs, and throat irritation.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring that children drink enough water during winter, as they tend to consume less compared to warmer months.
He also advised families to take precautions, such as adults wearing masks at home if they have cold symptoms, to prevent infecting children.
Assistant Professor Dr Nabila Akand from the Pediatric Respiratory Department of Dhaka Shishu Hospital explained that pneumonia symptoms include coughing, fever and breathing difficulties.
In severe cases, children may struggle to eat or vomit.
She urged parents to seek medical attention immediately if a newborn’s breathing rate exceeds 60 breaths per minute, if a child under one year breathes 50 times or more per minute or if a child aged 1-5 breathes 40 times or more per minute.
Dr Akand emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months, as it significantly reduces health risks.
She also stressed the importance of timely vaccinations and recommended annual influenza vaccines for children with weak immune systems or recurrent pneumonia to reduce the risk of the disease.
She further noted that younger children are more likely to suffer from bronchiolitis, while pneumonia is common in children over two years old.
Asthma symptoms may also worsen in winter and the risk of diarrhea increases during this season.
