The Western Cape Health Department is urging parents to be extra cautious following an increase in children presenting with diarrhoea at the province’s hospitals.
The recent increase in temperatures, including a number of heatwaves since the start of 2022 has seen a rise in the number of children who present symptoms of diarrhoea, dehydration and pneumonia at health facilities across the province, as per IOL.
According to the Health Department, there is often a spike in children being treated for diarrhoea disease between November and March as temperatures begin to pick up. However, with the Western Cape’s recent increase in heatwaves and February being the hottest month, the Department is advising adults to be extra vigilant over children as Feb unfolds.
“When your child has a runny tummy he/she may have diarrhoea. Unclean hands can spread viruses that cause diarrhoea,” said the department.
During hot summer days, food can easily get spoilt. If eaten, this can also cause diarrhoea, which can cause dehydration.
Children also tend to dehydrate very quickly, which can quickly become life-threatening,” the Department stated.
Associate Professor Heloise Buys, head of the Clinical Unit Ambulatory & Emergency at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, reiterates this point, especially when it comes to infants who can’t verbalise their wants and needs.
“They often can’t verbalise that they are thirsty. Also, because they are so much smaller than adults, losing a small amount of fluid in their watery stools is a big deal.
“They more easily become dehydrated or go into shock.
“Take the sign of the first loose stool seriously and immediately start with replacement oral rehydration solution,” Buys said.
The solution? Adults are advised to boil a litre of water before letting it cool down. Add eight tablespoons of sugar to the solution and half a teaspoon of salt. Ensure that the child takes small sips of the solution while continuing to feed them small, frequent snacks. Diarrhoea is said to last 48 to 72 hours, as per The Citizen.
A few more tips: Keep your child at home instead of sending them to school or crèche. Seek medical treatment if the child is not taking fluids, or vomiting the fluids they are consuming.
Also Read:
Latest COVID-19 procurement expenditure report sees WC spend just under R70 million
Picture: Pexels