Dhaka: Physicians in the capital are urging parents to take special care to protect children from common cold-related ailments as winter approaches. Maiaz, a five-year-old resident of Mirpur-14, had suffered from cold and fever during last winter and was treated at the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital in Mirpur-13.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Md. Shazzadul Alam, a Senior Medical Officer at the hospital, diagnosed Maiaz with a common cold and fever, which are prevalent during the winter months. Dr. Alam recommended a mixture of ginger juice, lemon juice, and honey to be administered three times daily to help alleviate the symptoms and provide protection against cold weather diseases.
Dr. Alam noted an increase in the number of young children visiting the hospital with cold-related complications. Children, particularly those aged one to five, are prone to illnesses such as cold, cough, fever, pneumonia, and influenza during colder months. The severity of these illnesses often peaks at the beginning and end of winter.
Dr. M Monir Hossain, a Professor at the Bangladesh Institute of Child Health and Dhaka Shishu Hospital, emphasized the importance of nutrition in preventing diseases common in cold weather. Malnourished children are more susceptible to these illnesses and often experience more severe symptoms.
Pneumonia remains a leading cause of mortality among children under five in Bangladesh. A 2018 UNICEF report titled 'Fighting for Breath in Bangladesh' revealed that over 12,000 children succumbed to pneumonia that year, despite it being a preventable and curable disease. Doctors stress the importance of vaccination, breastfeeding, and maintaining a clean living environment to prevent pneumonia.
Dr. Monir advises new mothers to provide colostrum to newborns and continue breastfeeding for six months. It is also crucial to keep children warm and avoid exposing them to cold weather, particularly in the early morning and evening. Long journeys with young children should be avoided, and parents should be vigilant in preventing exposure to crowded places where skin diseases can spread rapidly.
Physicians emphasize that proactive measures and responsible parenting can significantly reduce the risk of children contracting cold-related diseases during the winter months.