Commonground
Senior Moderator
Associated Press of Pakistan
SARGODHA, Nov 07 (APP): Renowned public health expert Dr Humaira Azha has warned of a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses among children as fluctuating temperatures and dry, dust-laden winds sweep across the region.
Speaking to APP on Friday, she said her clinic has recorded a 20 to 30 per cent increase in paediatric cases compared with late October. “This is a weather-driven outbreak that could quickly turn into pneumonia or acute asthma if parents ignore early symptoms,” she cautioned.
She said most affected children are presenting with persistent cough, sore throat, and low-grade fever—classic signs of seasonal respiratory infections exacerbated by abrupt drops in night-time temperatures and high daytime dust levels.
To help parents protect their children, Dr. Azha issued a five-point advisory. She recommended eliminating ice cream, cold drinks, packaged chips, and roadside fast food, which she said lower throat immunity. She also advised parents to properly layer children’s clothing before dawn and dusk but remove extra layers during midday heat to prevent sweat chills.
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Dr. Azha strongly advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if a cough persists for more than 48 hours or is accompanied by rapid breathing, warning against the use of self-prescribed antibiotics.
Concluding, she called for collective public action and strict adherence to Health Department guidelines to prevent seasonal viruses from escalating into severe respiratory outbreaks.
https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/sea...ections-surging-among-children-health-expert/
SARGODHA, Nov 07 (APP): Renowned public health expert Dr Humaira Azha has warned of a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses among children as fluctuating temperatures and dry, dust-laden winds sweep across the region.
Speaking to APP on Friday, she said her clinic has recorded a 20 to 30 per cent increase in paediatric cases compared with late October. “This is a weather-driven outbreak that could quickly turn into pneumonia or acute asthma if parents ignore early symptoms,” she cautioned.
She said most affected children are presenting with persistent cough, sore throat, and low-grade fever—classic signs of seasonal respiratory infections exacerbated by abrupt drops in night-time temperatures and high daytime dust levels.
To help parents protect their children, Dr. Azha issued a five-point advisory. She recommended eliminating ice cream, cold drinks, packaged chips, and roadside fast food, which she said lower throat immunity. She also advised parents to properly layer children’s clothing before dawn and dusk but remove extra layers during midday heat to prevent sweat chills.
-snip-
Dr. Azha strongly advised parents to seek immediate medical attention if a cough persists for more than 48 hours or is accompanied by rapid breathing, warning against the use of self-prescribed antibiotics.
Concluding, she called for collective public action and strict adherence to Health Department guidelines to prevent seasonal viruses from escalating into severe respiratory outbreaks.
https://www.app.com.pk/domestic/sea...ections-surging-among-children-health-expert/