Cold-related diseases surge alarmingly

Reza Mahmud :

As severe cold weather prevailed across the country, hospitals across Dhaka are reporting a noticeable increase in cold-related illnesses, particularly among newborns and young children, sources said.

Public health experts say, severe cold weather, dry climate, rising air pollution, and increased dust in the air are driving a surge in respiratory and cold related diseases, prompting urgent calls for parents to exercise heightened caution.

Health professionals note that children are falling ill more frequently than adults, as their developing immune systems struggle to adjust to sudden drops in temperature. Common symptoms include fever, cough, cold, breathing difficulties, and allergic reactions.

When contacted, Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq, former Adviser of World Health Organisation (WHO) told The New Nation, “Winter typically brings a sharp rise in flu, cough, cold, and pneumonia cases among children. Parents need to be extra vigilant during this season.”

The eminent public health expert said, as the weather is dry this time, and severe air pollution prevailed, the parents have to take additional cautionary measures to prevent such illness of their kids.

Meanwhile, Professor Prabir Kumar Sarker, a pediatric pulmonology specialist at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, explained that while maintaining hygiene through regular bathing is important, premature newborns should be bathed later and with special care to avoid exposure to cold.

Newborns should always be kept warm, and children who have started eating solid food should not be given street food or open juices.

“Many parents give packaged drinks even when a child has a runny nose, which can worsen the condition,” he cautioned.

Experts also warned against the misuse of antibiotics without medical consultation.
Most winter illnesses are caused by viruses.

If a child develops fever, cough, or breathing difficulty, timely medical attention is essential, they said.

Experts noted that pneumonia remains a major global health threat, claiming one life every 13 seconds and a child every 43 seconds worldwide.

They urged parents to limit children’s outdoor exposure during winter, protect them from dust and infections, and never administer antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription.

A recent visit in Bangladesh Shishu Hospital showed that all beds were occupied, while outpatient departments are seeing hundreds of young patients daily.

Physicians said children are often placed under observation after initial treatment, and admission is recommended depending on the severity of their condition.

Many seasonal illnesses, they noted, can be prevented through early care and increased awareness.

Hospital records reveal that between December 18 and December 22, 261 children received treatment for pneumonia, with 63 requiring hospitalization.

During the same period, 157 children were treated for diarrhea, 816 for common cold-related illnesses, and 121 for asthma.

At Agargaon Shishu Hospital, 1,234 children received outpatient services in a single day recently.

Of them, 260 were treated in the emergency department, 792 in the medicine department, and 182 in surgery.

Within 24 hours, 253 children were treated for cold and cough, 46 for pneumonia, 23 for asthma, 153 for scabies, 223 for other skin diseases, and 54 for diarrhea.

The growing pressure on hospital wards is reflected in the suffering of young patients. Three-month-old Supta has been battling cold-related complications since birth.

She was hospitalized for nearly 15 consecutive days in October and fell ill again just three days after discharge, leading to a second admission when pneumonia was detected.

She is now undergoing her third hospital stay, lasting nearly 25 days, including several days in the ICU.

Newborns are also increasingly affected by diarrheal diseases. Five-day-old Anaf was admitted to a children’s hospital shortly after being delivered by caesarean section. His mother said the baby had been experiencing diarrhea since birth.

After three days of treatment, his condition has improved, and doctors expect to discharge him soon.

Similarly, one-year-old Nusaiba has been hospitalized for three days after suffering from cold and a runny nose for nearly a week. Her mother said the child refused food, cried continuously, and later developed breathing problems.

Doctors advised hospital admission, and she is now receiving nebulization. While tube feeding was initially required, she has begun eating orally as her condition improves.