Child respiratory diseases rise sharply in HCM City

[Shiloh]

Source: http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/...ratory-diseases-rise-sharply-in-HCM-City.html


Updated May, 12 2010 09:31:28
Child respiratory diseases rise sharply in HCM City

HCM CITY ? The number of children suffering from heat-related illness in HCM City has increased rapidly in recent days, hospital officials have said.

The Paediatrics Hospitals No 1 and No 2, the city's two major hospitals for children, each receive 3,000-5,000 outpatients and in-patients a day, most of whom are diagnosed with respiratory and digestive infection, hand-foot-mouth disease, meningitis and encephalitis.

Dr. Tran Anh Tuan, head of the Paediatrics Hospital No 1's Respiratory Diseases Ward, said the number of in-patients with respiratory problems at the ward on Monday increased to 245 compared to 180 two weeks ago.

"Prolonged hot weather is the main cause of the increase of respiratory illness in children," Tuan said.

On the same day, the Paediatrics Hospital No 1 also provided treatment for 50 in-patients with meningitis and encephalitis. Of the patients, 14 were in critical condition.

Dr. Nguyen Dac Tho, deputy director of the HCM City Preventive Medicine Department, said this was the peak season for several diseases.

Meningitis was now in its peak season and the number of cases would increase if the weather continued to be hot.

The number of children with hand-foot-mouth disease has increased by 31 per cent compared to the same period last year.

"There is a high risk of hand-foot-mouth disease breaking out," Tho said.

Hand-foot-mouth disease often reaches its peak season in October, but this year the number of children suffering from the disease has increased rapidly this month, he added.

Other hospitals, including Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Nhan Dan 115 and Trung Vuong, also have reported that the number of older patients suffering from respiratory illness, pneumonia, high blood pressure and other heat-related diseases at their hospitals have also increased in recent days. ? VNS

 

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Re: Child respiratory diseases rise sharply in HCM City

Source: http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/...p-rise-in-kids-with-respiratory-ailments.html

Updated August, 11 2010
Hospitals see sharp rise in kids with respiratory ailments

HCM CITY ? Hospitals in HCM City have seen a rise in recent days in the number of children admitted with respiratory infections, leading to a shortage of beds.

Paediatric Hospital No.2 on Monday admitted nearly 1,600 children, including 500 with respiratory illnesses.

Dr.Trinh Huu Tung of the hospital said another 5,000 sick children on Monday visited the hospital, an increase of 1,000 over last week.

The hospital has only 90 beds so patients must share, Tung said, adding that beds had been set up in corridors as well.

In addition, more than 300 children with respiratory illnesses have been transferred to other wards in the hospital because of the bed shortage.

In an effort to relieve the shortage, children who live in HCM City have been going home in the evening and returning to the hospital in the mornings.

At the city's Paediatric Hospital No.1, more than 5,000 children were seen in the last few days.

On Monday, the hospital's respiratory ward was treating 256 inpatients with pneumonia and bronchitis.

Dr. Tran Anh Tuan, the ward's head, said the number of respiratory infections was expected to increase for another two months because these kinds of infections peak during the rainy season.

Like HCM City, more children are being treated in Can Tho and Da Nang hospitals.

Dr. Tran Chau, deputy head of Can Tho Paediatric Hospital, said that each day more than 1,000 children were being treated for respiratory infections, dengue fever, cholera and hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

On Monday, nearly 400 inpatients were admitted although the hospital has only 280 beds.

Also, beds had to be shared at Da Nang Hospital, where the number of inpatients at the 220-bed hospital was 408 in recent days. ? VNS