Abu Dhabi: Medical centers in the UAE are seeing an increase in the number of paediatric patients as winter approaches and flu cases rise. Due to the flu’s high contagiousness, doctors have advised parents not to send their sick children to school.
The physicians also advise parents to give their kids the flu shot as more people plan to travel with school-aged children during the winter holidays. According to physicians, the flu vaccine may be a preventative measure to lessen the intensity, frequency, and complications of the disease in the future.
With the onset of the winter season, hospitals and clinics are seeing a huge influx of children with fever, cough, cold, body ache, loose motion, vomiting, and breathing complaints. Flu and RSV infections are on the rise. Also, the Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed to a great extent. Travellers who want to reduce the risk of influenza should consider vaccination, preferably at least two weeks before departure.
Dr. Meenakshi Sesama, specialist paediatrician, Aster Clinic, Barsha observed.
“In severe cases, anti-viral treatment is recommended. Mostly, in suspected influenza cases, it is just the symptomatic treatment, and supportive management after consulting the paediatrician. But in severe cases or where there are other risks if your child is influenza A positive — they should be treated with antiviral medications at the earliest,” Dr. Sesama further added.
The differentiating factor between symptoms of flu and other viral is that in the case of flu, children experience high-grade fever, breathing difficulties, chills, and generalised feelings of not being well, compared to a common cold. Doctors say that, the initial symptoms of the flu and other viral diseases are mostly the same. They also suggest against waiting too long before seeking professional assistance for parents.
The majority of flu infections are mild to severe and curable, so parents are advised not to panic. The only reliable method of resolving the crisis is vaccination. Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, is used to treat flu symptoms and makes them less severe by easing congestion, coughing up mucus, sore throats, fevers, chills, pains, and fatigue. Additionally, medication cuts the recuperation period by one to two days. Medical specialists also emphasised that since the vaccination protects against multiple viruses, children can receive it even after contracting the flu.