In a season of intense cold, it is extremely important to take all the precautions to avoid suffering the consequences of a respiratory disease. The pediatric pulmonologist Adrian Polimandi provided important recommendations to the APN Agency.
“Viruses are the main cause and have a strong impact on the health of boys and girls”
Polimandi
Due to their young age, children have a developing immune system. For this reason, this population, in particular, benefits from regular health check-ups, continued breastfeeding, compliance with the vaccination schedule, hand washing by parents, caregivers and cohabitants, and the absence of maternal smoking. (pregnancy) and intra-home, and with hygiene within the home by ventilating the rooms, among other things.
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“It is very important to consider the health of children from pregnancy, since adequate growth within the uterus will give a greater chance that the newborn will have adequate lung capacity, gestational age and physical development”noted the professional.
The health checks during pregnancy are important for all pregnant womenbecause they provide the opportunity to achieve full health for the mother and child, preventing risks and also contributing to promoting healthy behaviors.
“Thus, the most appropriate nutrition for the mother-child binomial, the need for vitamin supplementation, preparation for childbirth and breastfeeding, the application of vaccines that protect the pregnant person and the unborn child can be addressed ( such as influenza vaccine, acellular triple bacterial vaccine and the vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus in pregnant people, recently incorporated into the calendar), among other strategies”
Polimandi
The professional noted: “Bronchiolitis is the most common cause of consultation in healthy infants in winter. It is a viral disease that begins with a usually low fever, respiratory secretions from the upper airways (similar to a cold) and over the course of days can compromise the lower respiratory tract, with cough and varying degrees of respiratory difficulty, to resolve mostly. after 7 to 10 days”he indicated.
Healthy children who develop bronchiolitis do so mainly on an outpatient basis and may, on some occasions, be admitted to hospital; Of these, a low proportion may have severe, life-threatening complications.
“The infant who has an associated risk factor is different, such as when he is premature, malnourished, has chronic lung disease or heart disease. “This increases the possibility of hospitalization by 35%, with a greater risk of complications with admission to intensive care.”
Polimandi
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Alarm guidelines
The alarm patterns to take into account mainly are the cough, with or without visible secretions that make breastfeeding difficult or impossiblethe feeding or causes vomiting, disturbs sleep, such as sleeping too much, or on the contrary, you may be irritablethe doctor described.
“In addition, difficulty breathing can appear when the child is agitated, with wheezing in the chest, when he breathes his ribs are marked, his chest or abdomen sinks. All of these are situations that should draw attention and why you should consult a doctor urgently.”
Polimandi
It must be kept in mind that the younger the age of the infant, especially those under 3 months, the quicker they have to make the consultation, because “respiratory difficulty that begins as mild can become severe in a few hours,” the specialist warned.
The treatment of bronchiolitis will depend on the severity of the condition; in general, it is related to providing comfort to the child (preventing him from being cold, but at the same time not keeping him too warm), controlling the feverish curve, continuing with breastfeeding, aspirating nasal secretions. “Self-medicating, nebulizing with infusions or administering home remedies by any means is strongly contraindicated,” Polimandi warned.
There is a very important fact to keep in mind: Colds in adults can cause bronchiolitis in infants who become infected. Viral infections during this stage of life can generate severe complications, with temporary or permanent respiratory sequelae that affect growth and modify the quality of life expected for this age.
“We highlight what we have learned about contagion care in the most severe time of COVID. “All measures to prevent infants from becoming infected with viral illnesses are extremely useful.”he finished.
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