Channa de Silva, a respiratory specialist at Ridgeway Arya Children’s Hospital, emphasizes the importance of adopting health habits developed during the Covid-19 period to protect against the current spread of dengue, influenza, and various viral diseases.
According to de Silva, it is challenging to confirm whether the circulating virus groups are related to Covid-19 due to a lack of testing. In case of persistent fever lasting more than two days, he advises consulting a doctor for a blood test and cautions against taking medications, other than paracetamol, without professional advice.
De Silva notes that children may refuse to eat during a fever, emphasizing the need to provide them with ample fluids to prevent dehydration, which could lead to serious health issues.
With approximately 50 children being admitted to hospitals daily due to viral diseases, respiratory and fever wards are reaching capacity. De Silva urges parents to minimize unnecessary visits to hospitals during the current surge.
As the upcoming school holidays approach, the specialist underscores the responsibility of parents to take extra precautions to protect their children from the prevalent viral diseases. Following the health practices developed during the Covid-19 period can contribute significantly to preventing the spread of infections.
