In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, an increasing number of kids are presenting at hospitals and clinics with diarrheal complaints. Particularly for kids under the age of five, this presents a serious risk.
Doctors stress that, despite the fact that the problem has not yet reached pandemic proportions, if parents do nothing, it could quickly get worse, especially with the approaching pre-monsoon season.
In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, an increasing number of kids are presenting at hospitals and clinics with diarrheal complaints. Particularly for kids under the age of five, this presents a serious risk.
Doctors stress that, despite the fact that the problem has not yet reached pandemic proportions, if parents do nothing, it could quickly get worse, especially with the approaching pre-monsoon season.
Recent findings show a disturbing pattern in public hospital paediatric departments. The number of children and newborns receiving treatment for diarrhoea has increased by 10% since April. This condition is frequently brought on by gastrointestinal diseases brought on by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, with polluted water serving as a common source.
According to Professor Dr. Tariq Saeed Sheikh, President of the Pakistan Paediatrics Association Federal Branch, between 20 and 30 percent of paediatric patients seek treatment for diarrhoea, and this number is steadily increasing.
He expects more cases to arise as temperatures and humidity rise unless parents take aggressive action. He recommends moms to prepare milk with boiled water and to wash their hands with soap in addition to consuming only boiled water.
Recent findings show a disturbing pattern in public hospital paediatric departments. The number of children and newborns receiving treatment for diarrhoea has increased by 10% since April. This condition is frequently brought on by gastrointestinal diseases brought on by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, with polluted water serving as a common source.
According to Professor Dr. Tariq Saeed Sheikh, President of the Pakistan Paediatrics Association Federal Branch, between 20 and 30 percent of paediatric patients seek treatment for diarrhoea, and this number is steadily increasing.
He expects more cases to arise as temperatures and humidity rise unless parents take aggressive action. He recommends moms to prepare milk with boiled water and to wash their hands with soap in addition to consuming only boiled water.
Recent findings show a disturbing pattern in public hospital paediatric departments. The number of children and newborns receiving treatment for diarrhoea has increased by 10% since April. This condition is frequently brought on by gastrointestinal diseases brought on by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, with polluted water serving as a common source.
According to Professor Dr. Tariq Saeed Sheikh, President of the Pakistan Paediatrics Association Federal Branch, between 20 and 30 percent of paediatric patients seek treatment for diarrhoea, and this number is steadily increasing.
He expects more cases to arise as temperatures and humidity rise unless parents take aggressive action. He recommends moms to prepare milk with boiled water and to wash their hands with soap in addition to consuming only boiled water.
He also advises heating water for 5 to 10 minutes before consuming it. He also stresses how important it is for kids to wash their hands before and after meals and after using the restroom.
Using untreated water and eating unclean meals can also cause diarrhoea. Surprisingly, 60 percent of children in Pakistan die from water-borne illnesses, with 630 on average losing their lives to diarrheal sickness every day.
It is potentially fatal to get severely dehydrated as a result of diarrhoea. For patients with extreme dehydration, Professor Tariq advises giving them Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Acute diarrhoea in children and infants who are also vomiting has to be taken as soon as possible to a medical facility.
