Summer heat fuels spike in child diarrhoea

Health experts have stressed the need for parental awareness regarding proper hygiene, safe boiled drinking water and the use of ORS with zinc ahead of the summer season, warning that waterborne diseases and diarrhoea continue to be leading causes of child illness and death.

Speaking to the media, Dr Nageena Shahzadi warned that cases of diarrhoea among children are increasing rapidly with the rise in temperature during the summer season, adding that children are the most vulnerable to waterborne diseases due to dehydration and weak immunity. She added that delayed treatment can lead to serious health complications. Dr. Shahzadi stressed that poor hygiene, contaminated food and unsafe drinking water are among the major causes behind the growing number of diarrhoea cases. She advised parents to ensure children drink boiled or filtered water, wash their hands regularly and avoid unhygienic street food during extreme heat.

She explained that common symptoms of diarrhoea include frequent loose motions, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, weakness and dehydration, emphasising that signs of dehydration such as dry lips, sunken eyes, excessive thirst, and reduced urination should never be ignored, especially in young children.

She further advised parents to immediately administer Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) along with zinc supplements to children suffering from diarrhoea to prevent dehydration and speed up recovery.