Nagpur: Viral-induced vomiting, loose motions increasing among kids

NAGPUR: Since the onset of monsoon, many citizens — especially kids — are suffering from vomiting and loose motion due to viral infection. Consuming contaminated water and outside food are believed to be the possible reasons for the outbreak. In some cases, multiple members of a family have reported similar symptoms.
Paediatric intensivist Dr Vivek Charade said viral illnesses have spiked in children. “Most sick children are coming up with symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting and loose motions. Many also have cough, cold and fever. Some doctors have found sporadic cases of viral exanthem (rash) like chickenpox. Doctors have warned that there could soon be a spike in dengue fever too,” he said.
Dr Charade added that school reopening, change in weather and social gatherings are possible reasons for the rise in infections.
Paediatrician Dr Avinash Gawande, who is an associate professor at Government Medical College and Hospital, said a large number of kids have cold, cough and fever with chills, and some have loose motions.
Dr Gawande added, “When humidity and rainfall increase, flies and mosquitoes come out. This leads to many water-borne and vector-borne diseases. Contamination of waste too can’t be ruled out. If people get polluted water, there are strong chances of catching infection. Food kept uncovered must be avoided.”
The paediatrician said skin allergies are common because of sweating. “Cleaning the affected skin with water and applying plain talcum powder can help,” added Dr Gawande.
The infections are being seen among adults too. Infectious diseases specialist Dr Ashwini Tayade said, “It is common to see gut infections and bacterial gastroenteritis during rains, but viral infections like influenza and Covid also present themselves with similar symptoms. Reach out to your doctor immediately for the right diagnosis and right treatment.”
Internal medicine expert Dr Mohan Nerker said people drinking contaminated water could possibly be the reason for this outbreak. “Many patients also have a history of eating outside food. Due to the weather conditions, it is difficult to maintain sterility in water, while growth of bacteria too has risen. Not all patients are requiring hospitalization,” he added.
Dr Nerker said all types of infections are now gaining prominence, after almost vanishing in the past two years.