The severe cold conditions prevailing in all parts of the State have increased the patients of viral infections in the hospitals across the State. The doctors suggest that the parents should avoid their children from exposing to cold conditions and for this children should be dissuaded to come out in open during early morning and late evenings.
Senior paediatrician at Doon Medical College Hospital here Dr Pratap Singh Rawat said that parents of children with a history of allergic reactions should be extra careful these days. The cold wave like condition has ensured that the number of children visiting the OPDs with complaints of common cold and seasonal allergies increase. Dr Rawat said the diseases like cold, bronchitis, viral dysentery and Pneumonia affect children in these days. He informed that since the children are more susceptible to the air borne infections they should be prevented from the exposure to these diseases. The paediatrician advised that the parents should ensure that their children remain indoors during morning and night and take nutritious food. He said that everyone should drink plenty of water these days. The reason for children being susceptible to infections is due to their low immunity arising out of the fact that they have low fat deposition in their body. Dr Rawat said that the OPD in the hospital has witnessed an increase of 20 percent these days.
The children tend to catch infections in the school; doctors suggest that to prevent cold from spreading the parents should advise their children to wash their hands regularly. Medicos are of the opinion that 80 percent of infectious diseases are spread by touch and bacteria responsible for cold also spread by this method. Similarly the children should be asked to cover nose and mouth during sneezing and use of disinfectants should be encouraged. The best remedy is to safeguard from bacteria.
Like children the elderly too are exposed to variety of problems in winters.
One of the chief tormentors of senior citizens is Hypothermia. Due to less body fat the elderly fall prey to hypothermia when they are exposed to cold weather. Doctors are of the view that the senior citizens should keep them hydrated and should wear warm clothes which cover their body properly.
The food having sufficient supply of vitamin D is also recommended to them by the doctors. It must be taken seriously.One of the doctors said that prevention is better than cure and it must be followed.