Ha Noi sees surge in child patients

As summer shifts into autumn, the number of children with respiratory diseases, pneumonia and bronchitis is increasing, said Nguyen Tien Dung, head of Bach Mai Hospital's Paediatrics Ward.

As summer shifts into autumn, the number of children with respiratory diseases, pneumonia and bronchitis is increasing, said Nguyen Tien Dung, head of Bach Mai Hospital's Paediatrics Ward.

About 300 children have had health checks at the ward every day during the past month, most of whom had respiratory diseases. The ward saw nearly 140 patients on Wednesday, whereas in other seasons there were only about 90. Many children came down with the diseases again and again, Dung said, warning that the situation could last until the end of the month.

In the National Paediatrics Hospital, 2,500-3,000 children per day had health checks since late August, an increase of 20-30 per cent.

The cool autumn nights increased the amount of bacteria in the air while decreasing children's resistance to them, said Dung.

Nguyen Thanh Nam, deputy head of the Paediatrics Ward at the Bach Mai Hospital, said that parents should keep their children warm at night, in addition to preventing the spread of disease by ensuring that children always washed their hands with soap.

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