Seasonal infectious diseases among children in autumn and winter

With the arrival of autumn and winter, comes the annual peak season for infectious diseases due to bacterial and viral infections as well as compromised immunity as a result of fluctuating temperatures during seasonal changes.

Dr Su Lin, from the paediatrics department of Shanghai United Family Hospital, said she has recently received an increasing number of children and is hoping to increase parents’ awareness regarding heightened risks.

The annual inoculation for seasonal flu started late September. With the rise of health awareness and the current COVID-19 epidemic, more parents are likely to take their children to get flu shots to enhance their kids’ immunity against the flu virus.

“Seasonal flu is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases for children in cold weather. We encourage parents to take their children to consult about and receive the shots and take proper preventative measures, like keeping a good hygienic habits like washing hands and avoiding crowded places,” Su said. “Flu patients and virus carriers are the source of infections that can be spread, and the first three days − before developing symptoms − have the strongest infectivity. The youngest patient we have received is only 13 days old, as both parents and two sisters have the flu,” she continued.

“Flu usually can last about one week. People should visit the hospital if they have continuous fever for over five days, for fear of pneumonia,” she said.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is likely to have a peak in early autumn as well, but there is a possibility for an outbreak in winter. Children under five years old are the major sufferers.

Children may complain about mouth or throat pain and babies may refuse to eat. Rashes on the hands, feet, mouth and perianal areas are all typical symptoms. “There is no special anti-viral drug for the disease, which can last about one week. Children between six months and five years old can receive a vaccination,” Su said.

Rotavirus enteritis is another common problem in autumn. Such diarrhoea is caused by rotavirus and children between six months and two years old are most vulnerable. About 42 percent of infectors don’t have symptoms, but they can spread the virus like those with symptoms. The virus is mainly transported through close contact and also contaminated water, soil, food, toy and clothes, making it difficult to prevent.

“Autumn diarrhoea can last three to seven days with treatments available to target symptoms. Vaccination is the most protective measure as well as good personal hygiene,” she said.

For infectious disease prevention and control, doctors said a healthy life style, like proper sleep, healthy diet, enough exercise and sunshine, good hygienic habits and vaccinations are all useful.