Port city children worst sufferers of cold wave

With cold waves blowing over Chittagong for the last few days, cold-related diseases including bronchiolitis, breathing problem, pneumonia and diarrhea had affected the people badly.

Babies and elderly are the worst sufferers.

According to sources in the pediatric ward of Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), rush of patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) and diarrhea has increased over the last three days.

The minimum temperature of Chittagong was 14.3 degree Celsius yesterday, said Farid Ahmed of Chittagong Met Office. "This cold wave might continue for the next three to four days," he added.

During a visit on Friday at different wards of CMCH, The Daily Star correspondent found that number of patients with cold related diseases had increased rapidly. The 65-bed pediatric ward had to accommodate 170 patients that day, most of them suffering from breathing problem and diarrhea, said the doctors.

Sheuli Chowdhury took her six-month-old baby Tumpa to the ward on Wednesday. Tumpa was suffering from severe breathing problem. Sheuli looked very worried.

Tahmina Akter was nursing her 3-year-old daughter Rukhsana, suffering from diarrhea for two days. "It was not curing at home, we had to rush her here," she said.

"Rush of ARI patients have increased. Babies are vulnerable to diseases as their immune systems are not strong," said Imrul Kayes, an associate professor of the ward. "They should be kept in warm places and hygiene must be maintained during nursing," he added.

Oral saline, mixed properly with water, should be given to those suffering from diarrhea, he emphasised.

Rush of patients with cold-related diseases had also increased in other hospitals including Chattagram Ma O Shishu Hospital Medical College. Dr Mahmud Chowdhury Arju, head of pediatric department of the hospital, said over 60 percent patients of the 300-bed hospital was suffering from either bronchiolitis or pneumonia or diarrhea.

He said a virus called "Rota virus" remains active in winter season, which causes diarrhea. "Everyone should be cautious while nursing patients and must wash hands with soap before feeding the babies," he said, adding, "If they suffer from breathing problem, the family should immediately rush them to the hospital."