Be cautious of common illnesses in children during the Lunar New Year.
Tet is a time when many common diseases occur in children due to the active nature of various viruses as well as the changing weather and many outdoor activities. To ensure a joyful and healthy Tet for their children, parents need to pay attention to some common diseases that children may encounter in spring, equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge to prevent these during the Lunar New Year.
Seasonal flu: When the weather turns cold in spring, it is the time for flu outbreaks, which cause symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and mild fever in children. The illness usually resolves on its own after 5-7 days if the child is well cared for and stays hydrated. In some cases, the flu can weaken the child’s body and lead to secondary infections such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.Rash fever: At this time, children often contract viral infections that cause fever such as rubella, parvovirus… These diseases usually make children very tired, lethargic, and dehydrated due to fever. Most viruses that cause rash fever are transmitted through the respiratory tract, so parents can prevent this by having children wear masks, avoiding contact with sick individuals, consuming foods and drinks rich in vitamin C to boost immunity, and seeking medical attention immediately when children show signs of fever.Acute diarrhea caused by Rotavirus: Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus as even a small amount can cause illness in children. The disease typically first manifests with repeated vomiting in the first 1-2 days, after which vomiting decreases and the child begins to experience diarrhea. Children often have multiple episodes of diarrhea throughout the day, leading to rapid dehydration. The illness usually resolves on its own after 5-6 days if the child is adequately rehydrated. To prevent Rotavirus, parents can have their children vaccinated against the disease from 6-8 weeks of age.Chickenpox: Spring is a time when many children contract chickenpox. Due to the ease of transmission, it can easily lead to outbreaks in the community. Chickenpox typically presents as numerous blisters appearing all over the body, including mucous membranes such as the mouth and anus. The disease usually resolves on its own after 7-10 days; however, in some cases, especially in young children, chickenpox can become superinfected, leading to sepsis or invading the central nervous system, causing encephalitis. Therefore, prevention is better than cure, and parents can have their children vaccinated against chickenpox from 12 months of age at healthcare facilities.Allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma: In spring, there is a lot of pollen, which is an important factor causing respiratory allergy symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Allergic rhinitis often manifests as nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose; bronchial asthma typically presents with wheezing, whistling breath, and difficulty breathing. Currently, there are very effective preventive medications for allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. However, children’s preventive medications are not the same as those for adults, so parents should take their children to see pediatricians to receive appropriate preventive guidance for their children.When noticing signs that the child may be ill, parents should not self-medicate at home but should take the child to medical facilities for timely examination, consultation, and treatment. The International Pediatric Center, Hai Phong International Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, with a team of experienced doctors and a modern equipment system, is always ready to receive, examine, diagnose, and treat pediatric-related diseases in children.
