The government hospitals in Chennai are now full of children as patients. The change in the weather has led to issues like wheezing, airborne allergies and respiratory issues etc in the kids now. According to some doctors, the numbers would go down in the coming months. They have mentioned that such cases were common in the months of December and January. The reason for the increase in the health issues in the kids now was due to rise in the concentration of the pollutants plus due to the decrease in the temperature.
Dr, Prasanna Thaomas, consulting pulmonologist expressed his thoughts about these health issues in the children now. He mentioned that the pollutants don`t get blown away becos the air becomes static. He threw light on how in the post pandemic time there were instances of increased respiratory issues among those with Covid-19 infection plus on the rise in the influenza cases etc. All these could lead to an overall impact on the body.
He then explained that the kids would be more vulnerable to the respiratory issues but protected against the viruses. Before the winter sets in, those with issues like asthma, COPD etc must take precautionary steps. Allergens would be responsible for some issues like cold, persistent running nose, cough, respiratory issues etc.
Consultant paediatrician Dr.Mohan kumar of SMCH in Chennai explained that every year in these months many respiratory issues based cases get reported in the children. The pollution levels could also make the existing issue worse. He hinted that with the rise in the temperature in the coming months these issues would decrease in the kids.
Temporary impact could be possible due to Bhogi celebrations and bursting of fire crackers etc and pollutants could trigger infections in the kids. Use of facemasks plays a huge role in protecting the kids from getting infected.