Diarrheal Disease: As predicted, my colleagues and I have noticed a significant increase in number of kids being brought for treatment of diarrheal diseases in the past few weeks. While the majority of them have been demonstrated to be of viral origin by stool tests, some of them have been found to be of bacterial aetiology. Both forms of diarrhea are spread via contaminated food and drinks. Improved personal and food hygiene at all times, especially at times like these are an important public health measure to prevent epidemics. Rehydration using ORS and other rehydrating oral fluids is the recommended early home management in affected kids. Respiratory Tract Infections: A flu-like illness is being seen in increasing number among children of all ages. Most affected kids have severe cough, runny nose and sometimes fever. A significant proportion of them have altered voice and sore throats. A few of them have been noted to have oral ulcers much like those of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Most affected kids recover with symptomatic treatment while a few, but a significant number, have required hospital care for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections. It is my opinion, based on the investigation reports from cases that I have thus far managed, that the illness is of viral aetiology (possibly an enterovirus being the agent). The few cases that have required more intensive treatment are those that had secondary bacterial infections and the very ...
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