Monsoon health alert: Keep a track of these common illnesses in children and expert tips to prevent them

With the onset of the much-awaited monsoon season, the joys of rain are often overshadowed by monsoon illnesses. The monsoon season also sees a higher incidence of viral, vector-borne, food-borne and skin infections in children, leading to frequent visits to the pediatrician and absence from school, adding to the woes of parents and caregivers.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Mahesh Hiranandani, MD, head of the paediatrics department at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in Chandigarh, sheds light on monsoon diseases –

1. Viral infection:

Viral infections affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems causing fever, cold, cough, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea. Although most of these infections are mild and self-limited, they can cause complications such as pneumonia and dehydration, especially in infants and newborns. Self-medication, especially the use of antibiotics, should be strictly avoided as it causes side effects and develops antibiotic resistance, which is an emerging and serious problem worldwide. If the child has a high fever for more than 3 days, persistent vomiting, very watery diarrhoea, scanty urination, shortness of breath and difficulty in feeding, it is important to visit a doctor for treatment. Most viral infections can be prevented by good hand and food/water hygiene. Vaccination with the flu vaccine protects against four types of influenza viruses that can cause severe respiratory infections, especially in children under 5 years of age and children with asthma. It is recommended annually for all children > 6 months and < 5 years of age.

2. Infectious diarrhoea:

Monsoon infectious diarrhoea often causes the child to pass watery, foul-smelling and blood-stained stools. Some children may also have high fever and vomiting, leading to dehydration which is the main reason for increased mortality. This is an indication to treat the child with appropriate antibiotics along with probiotics and zinc.

• typhoid fever Typhoid is a common water- and food-borne bacterial infection during the monsoon months. Fever, abdominal pain, headache and loss of appetite may last for several weeks and may be associated with complications involving all organ systems, especially in unvaccinated children. Two doses of typhoid vaccine can reduce the severity of this infection.
• Hepatitis A and E These are highly contagious, viral liver infections that affect unvaccinated children and cause fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice. They spread through viral contamination of drinking water and uncooked food, especially unhygienic cut fruits and fresh fruit juices. Although they are self-limiting, they can sometimes lead to liver failure and coma. Two doses of hepatitis A vaccine provide 100% protection. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis E.
• MalariaTransmitted by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, usually at night, high fever with chills and shivering occurs 10-12 days after the mosquito bite. Fever can lead to life-threatening complications affecting the liver, brain and kidneys. Severe anemia and growth failure may occur in children living in endemic areas. Research is ongoing to develop a malaria vaccine, until then, avoiding mosquito bites and destroying malaria larvae are the most important methods of malaria prevention. This can be accomplished by using mosquito repellents, nets and suitable clothing for children. All collections of stagnant water should be drained or treated with oil to destroy the larvae.
• dengue fever The disease is caused by the bite of Aedes mosquito during the day. Its major symptoms are high fever, body ache, headache and pain behind the eyes. The rash may appear within 48-72 hours and there may be a drop in platelet count. In children with a previous history of dengue fever, the disease may occur in two stages with recurrence of fever, rapid pulse, low blood pressure and bleeding in the skin, urine, stool and gums due to a significant drop in platelet count. This is dengue haemorrhagic fever, a medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalisation. Preventive measures are the same as for malaria. A dengue vaccine is in the pipeline and should be available soon, especially for those who have a history of dengue fever.
• Japanese Encephalitis (JE)As the name suggests, it is meningitis caused by a virus transmitted by the bite of the Culex mosquito, especially in rural areas where pigs serve as an intermediate host. The disease is particularly severe in young children causing fever, convulsions and coma. It can lead to death or severe neurological impairment in those who survive. Two doses of JE vaccine between the ages of 1-15 years provide lifelong immunity against the disease.

Dr Mahesh Hiranandani explained, “In flood-prone areas, walking in water can lead to leptospirosis, which is caused by contact with the urine of infected animals such as dogs and rodents. Its symptoms include high fever with chills, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle pain. Since the disease can be treated with antibiotics, it should be diagnosed early to prevent complications.”

The incidence of bacterial and fungal skin infections increases due to humidity during the monsoon season. Dr Mahesh Hiranandani suggests, “Daily bathing and loose cotton clothes help keep the skin healthy. Snake bites are common in densely vegetated areas, as snakes come out of their burrows. It is not superfluous to avoid bushy areas, wear proper clothes and footwear while playing, and visit a hospital for early and proper treatment.”

Suggesting to keep your children safe from monsoon diseases by taking appropriate preventive measures and getting them vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases, Dr. Mahesh Hiranandani recommends the following preventive strategies for monsoon diseases –