Persistent heatwaves and high daytime-nighttime temperature differences are causing hospitals in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam to see an alarming rise in pediatric patient visits and admissions.

Southern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta region, has been forecast to be extremely sunny throughout March 24 to 30 on the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting website.

The daytime temperatures are expected to range from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius.

As the month draws to an end, certain areas of the region may receive a little afternoon rain, while the average mercury after sunset stays comfortably at 24 degrees Celsius.

Located in Can Tho City, Can Tho Children’s Hospital currently receives approximately 1,600-1,900 outpatients daily.

Out of the total, around 700 individuals are seeking treatment for respiratory infections, constituting approximately 40-45 percent of the cases.

Another 200 cases involve gastrointestinal infections, while the remainder pertain to ailments such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, dengue fever, chickenpox, mumps, and others.

According to Dr. Truong Cam Trinh, head of the outpatient department at Can Tho Children’s Hospital, high temperatures provide room for bacteria, viruses, and disease-carrying insects to grow, which in turn increases the risk of patients contracting respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Therefore, people need to be more proactive in preventing diseases during warmer seasons, especially for family members who are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, like children and the elderly.

Dr. Danh Ty, deputy director of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Kien Giang Province in Rach Gia City, shared that since the beginning of 2024, the hospital has received more than 1,000 pediatric patients with respiratory infections, over 300 with digestive disorders and acute diarrhea, and in particular, six cases of meningitis and encephalitis.

According to Dr. Ty, recent upticks in pediatric cases all over the delta region can be attributed to this year’s unusually high temperature, polluted living conditions, and other factors.

Just in the last few days, the infirmary’s outpatient ward has recorded hundreds of parents bringing their children in for a quick medical examination, while its inpatient pediatric department is always full.

Tran Thi Thuy Trinh, a resident of Hon Tre Commune, Kien Hai District, Kien Giang Province, whose child is under treatment at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Kien Giang Province at the moment, said that her child returned from school one day nauseous and with abdominal pains.

After examination, her child was diagnosed with gastrointestinal infection and admitted for further treatment.

Disease prevention during hot seasons

Dr. Truong Cam Trinh believes a well-rounded diet and staying hydrated are key to a healthy body that can fight off any illnesses.

She also advises people to avoid crowded places when there is an epidemic spreading, dodge breathing in cigarette smoke, polluted air, and particulates, keep surrounding environments clean and airy, and refrain from going out or doing outdoor activities when the temperature is too high.

“Use clean water for cooking, washing, and domestic tasks, ensure to ‘eat food well-done, drink water well-boiled,' do not consume raw food, food that shows signs of spoiling, or of unknown origin, and keep hands clean during cooking and eating,” said Dr. Trinh.

“During warmer months, street food left outside to collect dust can become spoiled easily, so it is necessary to be selective when it comes to feeding children.”

According to Dr. Trinh, children and adults with such an illness should choose to consume foods that are easily digestible and limit fat intake.

Anyone who is showing signs of a digestive disorder is advised to immediately seek medical help.

Most importantly, parents should not assign medications to their children arbitrarily, especially antibiotics and antidiarrheals, which may prove to not only be ineffective in treatment, but can also be harmful to the child.

“When it comes to infants, parents should have them fully vaccinated according to local medical authorities, as well as against some common diseases,” said Dr. Trinh.

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