Speaking to Dantri on October 13, Tran Nguyen Khoi, deputy head of the hospital’s outpatient department, said the combination of hot weather and frequent rain in the late afternoon and evening had contributed to a rising number of child patients.
The department currently receives an average of 4,000 to 5,000 visits a day, mostly involving children aged two to five. Acute respiratory infections account for 60 to 70 per cent of cases, while digestive, skin and infectious diseases have also shown slight increases.
Dr Tran Nguyen Khoi examines a child at Children’s Hospital 2 (Photo: Hospital).
Khoi said frequent rain, high humidity and fluctuations in temperature could increase children’s risk of respiratory illness, although viruses and bacteria are the direct causes of infection.
Young children, premature babies and those with underlying conditions, including asthma, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease or weakened immune systems, are at greater risk of developing severe illness from respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The current weather can also leave children sweating heavily and their skin dry. Without adequate hydration and good hygiene, they may be more susceptible to skin conditions such as dermatitis, allergic reactions, infected skin lesions and cellulitis.
Meanwhile, seasonal infectious diseases, including hand, foot and mouth disease, dengue fever and chickenpox, are also becoming more prevalent.
Khoi warned that some active children may be tempted to swim, bathe or play in floodwater and contaminated water. Children often have cuts and scratches on their skin and may accidentally swallow dirty water without understanding the health risks.
