Unusual haze in Ho Chi Minh City has raised concerns about the health of children in the area. Le Dinh Quyet, head of the forecasting division at the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Center, described the phenomenon as unusual, noting that the haze persists even on sunny days.
Children’s Hospital 2 reports that recent days have seen an unusual haze blanketing the city and nearby areas, supporting an environment conducive to the spread of bacteria and viruses. The erratic weather, alternating between rain and sunshine, creates favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to proliferate.
Children are more susceptible to disease-causing pathogens due to their underdeveloped immune systems and sensitive respiratory tract linings. Dr. Nguyen Dieu Vinh, deputy head of the Department of General Internal Medicine at Children’s Hospital 2, warned that current weather conditions could increase the incidence of several groups of illnesses, including respiratory diseases, mosquito- and contact-borne infections, gastrointestinal diseases and skin conditions.
The temperature difference between day and night, as well as exposure to rain, can cause children to become chilled, leading to colds, influenza and inflammation of the nose and throat. Additionally, humid weather creates favorable conditions for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to spread.
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To safeguard against illness, medical professionals advise maintaining good personal hygiene and ensuring children regularly wash their hands with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet. Parents should also minimize sudden changes in temperature and should not let children sit directly in front of an air-conditioner immediately after returning from the heat or rain. If a child gets wet in the rain, they should be dried and changed into dry clothes promptly.
Parents should also eliminate mosquito larvae and remove containers or other objects around the home that can collect stagnant water. Children should wear long-sleeved clothing and sleep under mosquito nets, including during the daytime. Also, children should drink safe water, and eat well-cooked food and fruit rich in vitamin C.
Dr. Vinh advises parents to take their children to a doctor immediately if they show any of the following warning signs: lethargy or loss of consciousness, including unusual drowsiness, difficulty waking or complete unresponsiveness; seizures, with or without a high fever; persistent vomiting of everything they consume; or an inability to breastfeed or drink.