Heat-induced headache, fever rising among kids: Doctors

Ranchi: With the city reeling under severe heatwave-like conditions, paeditricians in the capital city said they are getting many children with complaints of gastrointestinal problems, severe dehydration, nausea, skin rashes and fever. According to them, one of the main reasons could be heat stress. With the Met office warning of no respite from the heat anytime soon, doctors said there was need for parents as well as schools to take precautionary measures.
“Most children are coming with complaints of headache, stomach discomfort, fever, dizziness, dehydration — all symptoms of heat exhaustion. This year, such cases started coming in from March end. However, beginning April as schools reopened for new academic session, the number of cases increased manifold,” Dr Amit Mohan in Kadru said.
Heat exhaustion can be brought on by dehydration or salt depletion. Parents should watch out for symptoms such as repeated headaches, dehydration, irritability and decrease in urine discharge in children. Those who spend a lot of time outdoors need to drink a lot of fluids, doctors said.
Doctors advise parents to make sure that their children carrying an umbrella, wear a cap, wear light and loose fitting clothes. Children should also consume a lot of fluids, fruits, and if need be, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Dr Rajesh Kumar said that these measures will help children stay hydrated.
“We are getting more than 10 cases of children and youngsters suffering from heat-related ailments at OPD daily. As of now, 16 kids are admitted in my hospital,” Kumar said.