Dr. Mahtab Hossain Mazed

As the winter intensified, the incidence of diarrhea disease increased. And many people are affected by this virus that is active in the winter season. Mild to moderate cold current is flowing in different parts of the country including the capital. Although the temperature has increased slightly, the severity of winter has not decreased much. Diarrhea is more common in children.

Children can get this disease by eating contaminated water, open and unclean food. Dr. MM Majed, prominent researcher and founder of National Patient Welfare Society of Bangladesh, said that parents should be extra careful to prevent diarrhea in children.

Apart from pneumonia, bronchiolitis etc., many children also suffer from diarrhea, which is called cold diarrhea.

> because

There is no specific cause of cold diarrhea. But in most cases 'adeno' virus is responsible. As this virus causes cold, it also causes diarrhea.

treatment

Most cases of cold diarrhea do not require any treatment. The treatment is very simple and that is to give oral saline and zinc. Infants under six months should be given only breast milk and small amounts of saline. This cures diarrhea, no other medicine is needed. Diarrhea usually takes five to seven days and in some cases up to two weeks to heal.

At this time, if possible, besides eating saline, give rice starch, chira water, canned water, fruit juice, raw banana bharta etc. If food saline is not available at home, make homemade saline and drink it. In case of fever, paracetamol-like fever syrup, antihistamine syrup for cold can also be given. And Nax role in homeopathy, aconite, mercurius salt does not cause dehydration if saline is taken in the beginning.

When to take to the hospital

Some cases of diarrhea require immediate hospitalization of the child. Otherwise he is at risk. But many are not aware of when to take to the hospital. Usually when a child needs urgent hospitalization and treatment, it is:

* Persistent loose stools like too much water.

* If the body is excessively dehydrated and dull.

* If the amount of urine is reduced or there is no urine at all.

* If the mouth and tongue are dry.

* If you cannot eat saline or any other food at all.

* If there is a lot of vomiting, even after eating saline, if vomiting or if the condition seems worse, you should be admitted to the hospital immediately.

Some misconceptions

* When a child has diarrhea, many people reduce food and drink or impose various restrictions, which is not right at all.

* Many people completely stop breastfeeding the baby in case of diarrhea, this is also dangerous and harmful for the baby.

* If vomiting occurs, many people stop saline, it cannot be done. Instead, when vomiting stops or wait for a while, give small amounts of saline.

* Many people drink some part of saline mixed with water, which is not right at all. The amount of salt in the saline is high and it can cause serious problems in the brain of the baby. Rather, no matter how much the child drinks, the entire portion of saline must be mixed with water and fed repeatedly. After a certain time, add saline and discard the rest of the water.

* No medicine can be given without doctor's advice. It should be remembered that antibiotics have no role in viral cold diarrhea.

Preventive measures

* Since cold diarrhea is caused by cold, in any way during this winter the child should be protected from cold or excess of cold. Always keep the child covered in warm enough clothing.

* Can't live in damp house or stuffy environment.

* It is better to use lukewarm water for baby bath during winter. No need to shower every day.

* Be careful if you have a cold, sneezing, cough, fever. At this time, a handkerchief should be used on the nose and mouth. A nebulizer can be used if needed or a doctor should be consulted.

* The child should always eat normal and fresh food. Food should always be covered, so that mosquitoes do not sit. Never feed baby open food from outside. It is best to eat home cooked food.

* Mother should drink breast milk.

* Cow's milk should be drunk rather thin rather than thick.

* The baby's food should be boiled and drunk.
> How dangerous is diarrhea:-
In fact rota virus diarrhea tends to be watery. Some children are found to have watery stools up to 10/15 times a day. Salt and water come out in the toilet. If salt and water are given to him properly again, he will be fine. Rotavirus is actually caused by a virus, there is no antibiotic. The main treatment is saline. It contains water and salt. This is what they need to feed very often. If the children can be fed saline frequently, then it is better. There are certain foods, which cause constipation. For example: raw banana. If you eat too much raw banana, the stool becomes a little hard. Soft rice will be fed. Another ingredient is curd. It contains a substance called probiotics, which is also very helpful.

Urine will usually occur within six hours. But if it is delayed from six hours, then it should be understood that the child is dehydrated due to diarrhea. Besides, the tongue will be dry. The skin will become more dry. We can understand some of these symptoms.

Finally, diarrhea is a common disease. Today the death rate from diarrhea or cholera is very low. But when affected, people become weak, performance decreases. So the government as well as the mass media should encourage the common people to follow hygiene rules to prevent diarrhoea. Clean water and fresh food should be consumed to avoid diarrhea. Rotten and stale food should not be eaten. Open market food cannot be eaten. Extra attention should be given to the elderly and children. And the message of the severity of winter is everywhere, the outbreak of various diseases is seen at this time. One of them is cold-cough, diarrhea.

A large proportion of winter diarrhea in children is caused by rotavirusAnd when a child has diarrhea, many people reduce food intake or impose various restrictions, which aggravates the problem of diarrhea. Many also stop breastfeeding if they have diarrhoea, which can be fatal. Many people stop saline despite repeated vomiting, which should not be done. Instead, if the vomiting stops or after waiting for a while, saline should be given little by little. No matter how much saline the baby drinks, the entire portion of the saline should be mixed with enough water and the water should be drunk again and again. So let's all be aware, prevent child death from diarrhea.

The writer, physician, columnist and researcher Founder and Chairman, jatia rogi kallyan Society