Chief pediatrician explains reasons for spread of virus among children

We lived under lockdown during the pandemic, so we expected the incidence to increase when the restrictions were eased, an expert (chief pediatrician) of the Azerbaijani Health Ministry, Erkin Rahimov, told Report.

According to him, cases of respiratory viral diseases have started to increase in Azerbaijan due to the season: “The opening of schools and kindergartens has also had an impact on the spread of the virus. Parents can protect their children from seasonal flu through vaccination. Children older than six months can be vaccinated against influenza. If the vaccine is administered for the first time, two doses should be given at one-month intervals. If immunized last year, just one shot is enough. In addition, it is important to follow the personal hygiene guidelines and avoid contact with infected people. If there are sick people in the house, the mask must be used.”

Pediatric resuscitator Goshgar Ismayilov told Report that the number of complaints about seasonal flu had increased recently, especially among schoolchildren.

According to him, the main symptoms of the disease are fever, runny nose, and cough: “This flu occurs every year due to the season. It has nothing to do with the coronavirus. The number of influenza cases is increasing due to the opening of schools and kindergartens. Therefore, parents should send their sick children to an educational institution after treatment, after complete recovery. Because children with weakened immunity are more likely to get the disease.”

Ismayilov said that to maintain high immunity, it is necessary to give preference to vitamin-rich foods: “Because nutrition is essential in the fight against the disease. In fact, the immune system also depends on genetic factors. Exercise, stress and sleep factors also need to be monitored. As schools have just opened, children may have sleep disorders. When creating a sleep regime, an essential element for the immune system, they must first determine the amount of sleep needed per day.”