Many schoolgoing kids now down with fever, cough and cold twice or thrice a month: Pediatricians

PUNE: Pediatricians are reporting a significant increase in cases of recurrent viral infections in which kids - mainly those of schoolgoing age - are coming down with fever, cough and cold twice or thrice in a single month.
"About 50% of schoolgoing kids I'm currently treating have had a viral infection three times in a span of just 30 days, which is very unusual. They are contracting these infections at school and then passing them on to adults at home," said Dr Sanjay Mankar. Initial high-grade fever followed by a stubborn cough and runny nose are some of the common complaints in these children, he added.
A range of viruses are currently circulating in the city, including influenza, parainfluenza, enteroviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), H1N1 (swine flu), SARS-CoV-2 and dengue.
"And just when a child is recovering from one infection, she or he goes on to contract a new ailment because of the intermingling in schools," Dr Mankar said.
Parents compelled to send unwell wards to school for scheduled exams add to the problem as these kids spread the infection to others, doctors said.
"Children who are in junior or senior kindergartens (KG) or in Classes I and II, are the worst affected as their immunity is low, compared to kids who are older," Dr Mankar said.
Dr Sachin Shah, chief paediatrician of the Surya Mother and Child Hospital, said, "The cycle of viral infection is not breaking. That's why many schoolgoing kids are falling ill twice or thrice in a month."
To prevent spread, Dr Shah suggested the lower classes should be temporarily closed. School administrations could even reschedule exams as many parents are sending sick kids, who're either still infectious or recovering, to school, he said. The heavy cloud cover over Pune is also helping spread allergens, adding up to cases of allergic cough/bronchitis, Dr Shah added.
Allergies or sinusitis cause a lingering cough as well as a scratchy throat and runny nose.
General practitioner Dr Santaji Kadam, who runs a practice in Kothrud, said adults too are reporting symptoms such as persistent cough and repeat episodes of fever.
"But more than adults, schoolgoing children are the ones badly affected by recurrent viral infections. Among adults, people who are involved in field jobs and those who have to stay outside for prolonged periods, are the ones struggling with repeated bouts of cough, cold and fever because they are often caught in the rain," Dr Kadam said.