Department of Medical Services Warns! Rainy Season Health Alert for Young Children

The Department of Medical Services, through the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, has issued a warning to parents to be vigilant about their children’s health during the rainy season to prevent diseases associated with stagnant water, such as conjunctivitis, hand-foot-mouth disease, diarrhea, influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue fever, which are more likely to affect young children during this time.

Dr. Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, stated that several provinces in Thailand are currently experiencing floods, which may cause parents to worry about their children’s safety. She recommends that parents prepare to handle flood situations and educate their children about the potential dangers that may arise, as this is the best way to prevent diseases and hazards associated with floods.

Additionally, when children go to school, there is a high risk of contracting diseases such as conjunctivitis, hand-foot-mouth disease, diarrhea, influenza, dengue fever, and leptospirosis due to increased physical contact among students. The dampness of the rainy season or stagnant water can also become breeding grounds for these diseases. Therefore, it is essential to maintain regular hygiene practices for children.

Dr. Akrathan Jittanuyanon, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services and Director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, further explained that each disease presents different symptoms:

- Conjunctivitis: Symptoms include red eyes, itchy eyes, eye pain, and excessive eye discharge, typically caused by bacterial or viral infection of the conjunctiva.

- Hand-foot-mouth disease: Symptoms include fever and inflamed blisters in the mouth, on the tongue, gums, and cheeks, often seen in young children. It spreads through direct contact with saliva or mucus from an infected person.

- Diarrhea: Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Severe cases should be treated promptly by a doctor. It is usually caused by consuming contaminated food or water, or by putting dirty objects into a child’s mouth.

- Influenza: Symptoms include high fever, chills, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, and muscle aches. It is highly contagious through respiratory droplets and contact with infected items, especially in crowded areas.

- Dengue fever: Symptoms include high fever, rash, red spots, lethargy, and abdominal pain, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The disease is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.

- Leptospirosis: Common during the rainy season and in areas with stagnant water, this disease is caused by bacteria that can infect both humans and animals. Infected individuals may develop symptoms 1-2 weeks after exposure, including high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, back pain, abdominal pain, and other flu-like symptoms. The infection spreads through contact with contaminated soil, water, food, or animal tissues, such as from dogs, cattle, pigs, horses, or even wild animals.

Parents are encouraged to strengthen their children's immunity by ensuring they receive vaccinations, eat a balanced diet, reduce sugar and fat intake, eat freshly cooked food, drink plenty of clean water, wear masks for children over 2 years old, avoid crowded places, and practice regular hand washing. Regular exercise and sufficient rest are also important to maintain their children's health. If a child exhibits any unusual symptoms, it is advisable to take them to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Source: ThaiHealth