Pediatric departments in various hospitals across the country are seeing an influx of patients with Covid-19-like symptoms, but doctors have urged not to panic as most cases are just seasonal flu.
Pediatricians also said that Covid-19 guidelines should still be followed in order to take precautions and prevent the spread of infection.
They emphasized the need for children to maintain a healthy diet and stay hydrated, as well as to only take medications prescribed by doctors.
Dr. Syed Shafi Ahmed, former director of Bangladesh Children's Hospital, told the Dhaka Tribune that he sees about 50 child patients every day, almost half of whom are suffering from cold or fever.
He said the four most common diseases among children are flu, covid, dengue fever and rarely chikungunya.
“Parents bring children who have symptoms similar to Covid-19 but only a few of them are infected with the coronavirus. Most of them have seasonal flu, which is common at this time of the year,” he told the reporter.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital Assistant Professor Mozammel Haque also said that recently the number of patients suffering from cold and fever has increased in his department.
“We see about 300 to 350 children every day in the outdoor unit. About 60% of children suffer from viral infections but most children have flu, not Covid,” he said.
He added that most patients are between six months and eight years old and rarely require hospitalization.
"We recommend hospitalization for diseases like severe pneumonia," he said.
He warned parents not to give their children antibiotics without a prescription, as it would do more harm than good.
“Antibiotics cannot cure viral infections. Unfortunately, we have this practice in Bangladesh of taking cold-fever medicines without doctor's advice,” Mozammel Haque told the correspondent.
Dr Syed recommended maintaining health guidelines suggested to prevent coronavirus infection to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu.
“Wearing
masks, washing hand, using hand sanitizer, and maintaining social
distance will not only protect children from Covid but also from other
viral infections. Children also need rest to recover from illness,” he
said.
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