The Health Promotion Officer of the New Juaben North, Mrs Peace Kpodonu has cautioned Ghanaians, particularly parents and guardians to report their children with the common cold to the nearest health centre for comprehensive treatment since children are at high risk of attaining viruses.
Speaking to Abba Aggrey on Bryt Fm’s Menkwa show, Mrs Kpodonu outlined that there has been a growing number of infectious diseases including Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) that is affecting most of the children in this drying season.
She explained that Respiratory Tract Infection (RTIs) are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing such as the sinuses, throat, airways, or lungs.
“Runny nose, dry cough, fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, congestion, fatigue, Sneezing, headache, and among others are the symptoms of RTIs, therefore, anyone experiencing such symptoms should immediately seek medical attention,” she said.
To her, severe cold in children might lead to pneumonia because their smaller airways are likely to be congested, making breathing either fast or difficult.
The hospital administrator of St Joseph hospital, Mr Philemon Kofi Quansah, also added that respiratory infections are contagious and can spread from one person to another by transmitting germs through droplets from a cough or sneeze.
He further stated that one can also catch illness by touching the nose or mouth after touching an object exposed to those germs, thus one should wash his or her hand after touching an object.
“RTIs are common, and anyone can catch one. Yet children are at a high risk since they are often with other children who may be carrying a virus,” he said.
Mr Quansah however urged Ghanaians to take more water because dehydration can cause major impacts on their well-being.
Mrs Beatrice Addai Kwaning, a nursing director on her part advises parents and guidance to provide all the necessary requirements to the wards and also to advise them to stay away from certain things since school has reopened adding that they’re more likely to put their fingers in their eyes, nose, and mouth, allowing the germs to spread easily.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Abba Kwegyirba Aggrey