Extreme heat sends children to hospitals with fever, respiratory issues

Parents should ensure to wipe off their children's sweat regularly and avoid giving them cold foods, a paediatrician suggests

A wave of extreme heat sweeping across Bangladesh over the past few days has significantly impacted children's health, leading to a surge in hospital visits for illnesses such as fever and respiratory issues.

Doctors said the number of patients has risen in the last few days, with more children being admitted for treatment.

On Monday, the emergency department of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka’s Agargaon witnessed a crowd of parents seeking medical attention for their children.

The hospital’s outpatient department was closed for Eid-e-Miladunnabi, which marks the birth and death anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is a national holiday, so parents brought their children to the emergency unit.

Although recent rains have slightly lowered the temperature, high humidity has intensified the heat, causing children to sweat excessively and become restless or cry while waiting to see a doctor. Parents used sheets of paper to fan their children in an effort to provide some relief.

By 11:45am, three doctors in the emergency unit had already seen 70 children, 43 of whom were suffering from fever and cold-related ailments.

Tamanna Akhter, the mother of a three-month-old girl from Dhaka’s Taltola, said: "My daughter has been suffering from a fever and cold for the last seven days. It's worsened over the past three or four days, and she also has diarrhoea and refuses to eat."

Raihan Ullah, who brought his three-month-old son Md Ruman from Savar’s Hemayetpur, told bdnews24.com: “After the heatwave hit, my son came down with a fever and cold. His condition worsened, so we brought him here. The weather has been hot, followed by rain, which caused him to sweat heavily. Now, he's suffering from a severe cold, fever, and cough. He coughs so hard that he vomits and can’t sleep properly at night."

Naznin Arafat, the mother of one-year-old Mushrafa Manzur Mairin, said: "My daughter has low immunity and often falls ill. Recently, the heat has worsened, and she’s had a fever for three days, so we brought her to the hospital."

Another parent, Dilruba Yasmin, brought her two-year-seven-month-old son Shahriar Hasan from Mirpur, saying: “He’s had a cold for over a month, and the fever started a week ago but hasn’t subsided. We took him to a private hospital, but his condition hasn’t improved, so we came here."

Meanwhile, Sumiul Hasan, a three-month-six-day-old baby from Pabna, was brought to the hospital due to a heart condition and a fever with a cold.

His father said, “His cold and cough haven’t improved. The doctor in Pabna said he needs to be admitted to a hospital, so we left early this morning and just arrived.”

Dr Munibur Rahman Jewel, a resident doctor at the hospital’s emergency department, told bdnews24.com that the hospital had seen a surge in patients, mostly suffering from cold, cough, and fever.

"The weather has been unstable with continuous rains and high temperatures. This has led to more children coming in with these illnesses. We’ve also detected cases of bronchitis, pneumonia, and many children with dengue symptoms, even though some haven’t been tested," he said.

The Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital also witnessed an influx of children on Monday.

Samina Yasmin, the mother of Safwan, who is known only by his first name and came from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, said: "My son has had a high fever for the last few days, and it’s not going down. He’s also stopped eating properly. The sudden rise in heat caused his fever."

In mid-September, a heatwave swept through 14 districts, including Dhaka, with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius. Although recent rains have brought some relief, the humidity on Monday made the weather feel even hotter.

Paediatrician Prof Mohammad Shahidullah told bdnews24.com: "The weather is currently hot and humid, with intermittent rain and sunshine. Children sweat a lot, and since they’re usually active, they sweat even more. The issue arises when we neglect to wipe away their sweat, which leads to colds, coughs, and nasal congestion. Some develop a fever due to viral or bacterial infections, accompanied by breathing difficulties."

Dr Shahidullah said for mild colds and nasal congestion, parents can treat their children at home using nasal drops, antihistamines, and cough syrup. Children over six months old can be given warm water with honey, lemon tea, and tulsi leaf extract as natural remedies.

"However, if there are signs of infection, a fever above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or breathing difficulties, the child must be taken to a doctor immediately. Parents should ensure to wipe off their children's sweat regularly and avoid giving them cold foods. These small steps can help keep children healthy," he added.