Colds and coughs among children are quite common, so no need to worry: Dr. Channa de Silva

The specialist urges parents to take the usual precautions, especially if their children have chronic respiratory ailments

These days many parents are complaining that their young children and teenagers are regularly experiencing symptoms of respiratory illnesses. Dr. Channa de Silva—Child Chest Specialist at Lady Ridgeway Hospital— confirmed that symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as the cold and cough and other symptoms which affect the nose, sinuses and throat or pharynx have been experienced quite regularly by young children and teenagers.

“These respiratory symptoms have become quite common now, because over the past couple of years, school children have been staying at home for long periods of time due to the COVID-pandemic, and schools held online classes. But nowadays as they are attending school classes, they are exposed to other children and adults. So their chances of falling ill have increased, as these respiratory illnesses are spreading,” Dr. de Silva said.

According to Dr. de Silva the most common illness that spreads nowadays is the upper respiratory tract infection that affects the pharynx, nose, nasal passage and para-nasal passages.

“This is known as the common cold, and sometimes children can also be affected by the common flu caused by the Influenza virus,” he added. He said that it is quite common for children and teenagers to experience such episodes or attacks around 6-7 times a year, and parents should not worry if the symptoms are mild, but a doctor’s advice should be sought and the appropriate treatments should be given.

Dr. de Silva said these symptoms range from mild symptoms which can be treated with medication such as paracetamol for fever and antibiotics only if necessary and there was no diagnosis of dengue, to severe symptoms which require hospitalisation. He added that children who suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma are more prone to attacks of other

respiratory illnesses.

One important point which Dr. de Silva wanted to emphasise was the topic of inhalers. He said there was myth which was believed by many parents; that children could become too dependent on inhalers and their asthmatic conditions or other respiratory illnesses would worsen.

“Generally doctors prescribe inhalers for respiratory illnesses such as asthma, but many parents are not too happy about their children using inhalers as they feel the children will become too dependent on the inhalers and this will not help them,” he said.

However Dr. de Silva said inhalers are the standard method of treatment for illnesses such as asthma; just like eye drops are given for illnesses which affect the eyes, inhalers are commonly given for respiratory illnesses which affect the sinuses, nose, pharynx and lungs.

When asked what could be done to prevent children from experiencing these respiratory illnesses Dr. de Silva said they could continue to take the precautions they were taking for COVID-19, such as wearing facemasks, washing their hands regularly and using their elbows when they sneeze.

“Nowadays a lot of people are not wearing facemasks, as there are less restrictions to wear facemasks in public places. But wearing the facemasks reducing the chances of catching infectious respiratory illnesses such as the upper respiratory tract infection,” Dr. de Silva said.

He said maintaining physical or social distance was not practical among young children and teenagers, so they should not be restricted to do so.

Dr. de Silva also advised parents to make sure that their children had adhered to a healthy and well balanced lifestyle, including staying hydrated, eating a nutritious diet on a daily basis and getting regular exercise. He said children need the freedom to carry out their normal routines, including any physical activities, without restrictions as this would help them to build up their immunity and avoid falling ill too often, and eating a nutritious meal on a daily basis was important to get the necessary nutrients that would also help them build up their immunity and stay healthy.

“People are finding it difficult these days due to the economic crisis, as food prices have increased. However, instead of purchasing expensive imported foods, try to find healthy local alternatives for a nutritious and well balanced meal,” Dr. de Silva advised.

He also said when children experience symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as the cold and cough, it was important for parents to make sure that they stayed hydrated. Drinking adequate amounts of water was a must, he urged, and drinking Jeewani was also helpful to stay hydrated and avoid becoming dehydrated. Jeewani also provided additional nutrients, he said. “If they are having any infections, parents must not send them to school,”

Dr. de Silva said in conclusion.