The Department of Medical Services issues warning of widespread respiratory illness in children including influenza, RSV, and other viruses
Date: 29 November 2023
Dr. Amporn Benjaphonpitak, Acting Director General of the Department of Medical Services, has expressed concern over the increasing number of child patients infected with influenza, RSV, and various respiratory viruses. The symptoms are becoming more severe as well.
Due to the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, children who have not developed immunity to respiratory diseases, as well as adults with low immunity, are at a higher risk of infection. This has resulted in a surge of young patients seeking treatment for influenza, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.
In response to these developments, Dr. Akkarathan Jitnuyanon, Director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Children’s Health, has provided the following tips for parents to protect their children:
1. It is recommended that children wear face masks at school and avoid crowded areas.
2. Babies should receive breast milk and eat a balanced diet of freshly prepared foods from all five food groups.
3. Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals.
4. Avoid close contact with individuals who have respiratory infections, and encourage sick individuals to stay home and rest.
5. Maintain cleanliness at home and regularly clean toys and equipment.
6. Ensure that children stay warm, engage in age-appropriate exercise, and get enough rest to maintain health.
7. Administer age-appropriate vaccines, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
In providing guidance for managing illness, Dr. Prawit Chetanachai, a pediatric respiratory specialist, has emphasized the following:
– Symptoms of viral infections in young children may include fever and mucus, while older children may experience coughing and clear mucus without a fever.
– Influenza, characterized by more severe symptoms, can lead to complications such as asthma attacks, bronchitis, and pneumonia, and may require specific antiviral treatment.
– RSV infection presents with flu-like symptoms and can lead to serious respiratory illnesses in young children, particularly those under the age of two.
– Children with underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of developing severe illness and require symptomatic treatment, including fever-reducing medication and adequate hydration.
Given the current situation, it is imperative for parents to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect the health of their children.
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The Department of Medical Services is warning of a serious case of respiratory disease in children. Including the flu, RSV and others.
Date: 29 November 2023 Dr. Amporn Benjaphonpitak Acting Director General of the Department of Medical Services said that an increasing number of child patients are currently infected with influenza, RSV and other respiratory viruses. Including having more severe symptoms
Due to the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, children who do not yet have immunity to respiratory diseases Or some adults with low immunity are at greater risk of infection. So, this year there are many patients, especially young patients. Influenza, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses are increasing in number and severity.
7 tips to protect your children
Dr Akkarathan Jitnuyanon, Director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Children’s Health, Department of Medical Services, advises parents that
1. It is recommended to wear a face mask at school. Young children avoid the community.
2. Babies should receive mother’s milk. Eat food from all 5 food groups, clean, freshly cooked.
3. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating every time.
4. Avoid close contact with patients with respiratory infections. The patient should stay at home. Take time off to heal. Use a handkerchief to cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
5. Maintain good hygiene at home and toys at all times. Always keep tools and equipment clean.
6. Always keep your body warm. Wear a sweater to keep warm. Always take care of your children’s health to be strong. By encouraging children to exercise according to their age and get enough rest.
7. Give basic vaccines according to age. and supplemented with influenza vaccine Children’s COVID-19 vaccine
Advice on how to look after yourself if you are ill
Dr Prawit Chetanachai, a doctor who specializes in pediatric respiratory systems, added that colds from viral infections In young children there may be fever and mucus. In older children, they may not have fever, cough, and clear mucus and will get better on their own without the need for antibiotics.
Influenza Caused by infection with the influenza virus (influenza virus), flu-like symptoms. But the symptoms are more serious, such as high fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, which can cause complications such as asthma attacks, bronchitis, and pneumonia and treat it with certain antiviral drugs.
As for RSV infection, it is caused by the RSV virus. In the early stages, the symptoms are similar to flu, including fever, cough, and a runny nose. In older, healthy children, the symptoms are mild and disappear on their own. But for young children (<2 years) infected with the RSV virus, there is a risk of asthma symptoms and serious diseases such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
In addition, children who are born prematurely have heart disease and chronic lung disease. It is a group at risk of developing serious disease. It is not necessary to give antibiotics Provide symptomatic treatment, such as giving medicine to reduce fever, giving enough fluids, giving oxygen, nebulizing medicine, dilating the bronchi, and injecting special concentrated saline in some patients.
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