Private Medigüneş Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Zehra Tiryaki said that upper respiratory tract diseases continue to increase with the onset of cold weather, and especially the opening of schools will lead to epidemics as people are more in closed and crowded environments.
Dr. Tiryaki said, “Babies and young children are most affected by this situation. Rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, RSV virus, influenza virus are the most common viral infections we see in these months. Children complain of fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat, muscle pain and cough. Babies complain of nasal congestion, reluctance to suck, and runny nose. “It can cause diseases such as bronchitis and pneumonia, especially on the 3rd and 4th days of the infection.”
“The disease spreads through the secretions of people infected with the virus,” said Dr. Tiryaki. “In preventing the disease, it is effective to stay away from crowded environments, to wear a mask for sick people, especially around children, to feed children with plenty of liquids and healthy foods, and to keep them away from adulterated foods. There is no specific treatment for virus infections. In symptomatic treatment, paracetamol, painkillers, plenty of nasal cleaning, plenty of fluids and healthy nutrition and rest are important. “In cases such as persistent high fever, wheezing, phlegmy cough, and inability to feed, a doctor should be consulted without delay,” he said.
