The recent extreme heat spell in Vietnam’s southern region is sending more and more children to the hospital for respiratory conditions and diarrhea.

On Tuesday, Children’s Hospital 1 and Children’s Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City were filled with young patients brought in by their families for viruses, runny noses, sore throats, and gastrointestinal problems, according to Tuoi Tre (Youth) journalists.

Le Thi Xuan Lan, from the Hydro-meteorological Observatory of the Southern Region, said that the average temperatures on Tuesday afternoon in many locales in Ho Chi Minh City was 35-36 degrees Celsius while Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc Provinces 37-38 degrees Celsius.

The heat wave is expected to last for several days, Lan said, adding that the rainy season will come late, arriving in late May or early June.

In March this year, there were 7,282 children diagnosed with pneumonia, an increase of 2,000 cases compared to February, according to Can Tho Pediatrics Hospital’s statistics.

Doctor Trinh Huu Tung, deputy director of Children’s Hospital 2, said that the number of children admitted to the infirmary increased over the past week due to the recent hot weather condition.

“On average over 6,000 kids are treated at our hospital each day but on April 11 the number of patients surged to 7,656,” Dr. Tung said.

Most of these are patients suffering from respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders, doctors at the infirmary said.

With her husband, Bui Thi Duyen from Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, said that their six-month old daughter was diagnosed with bronchitis and would need treatment at the hospital.

Duyen said that she had heat-resistance foam sheets attached on the ceiling and let the fan run all day but all efforts failed to cool down the scorching atmosphere.

“Even adults cannot stand the heat, so how can children?” she said.

Sun-glasses, coats are must-haves when outside

In the recent mornings, most students in Ho Chi Minh City have covered themselves in sweaters and masks as the temperature continues to rise in the city, the Tuoi Tre journalists reported.

Tran Thi Nhung, a parent living in Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, said that “coats, hats, and sun-glasses are the must-haves in such a weather” to prevent her kids from being ill, adding that she has been taking them to school earlier than usual to avoid the heat.

“In addition to orange juice, I have my children drink water boiled with bean sprouts to keep their health on track,” Nga, dwelling in Binh Tan District, said.

Doctors said that the number of people reporting these health issues is rising although the season of respiratory diseases has not come yet.

Abuse of air conditioners, fans is to blame

Many suspect that the excessive use of air conditioners and fans during hot weather is to blame for the rise in illness.

Doctor Tran Anh Tuan, chief of the respiratory department of Children’s Hospital 1, said that many parents point fans directly at their kids or keep them in air-conditioned rooms for too long.

“Some utilize vapor fans in closed rooms to cool the air, but this will cause fungus and bacteria to develop due to high moisture density, which threatens the respiratory system,” Dr. Tuan explained.

Doctors suggested that parents be aware of the dos and don’ts of using fans and air conditioners properly and adjust their children’s diet to effectively counter the harsh climate.

They recommended that parents have their kids drink lots of warm water, get them to wear masks when going outside, and keep their living space hygienic in order to keep the disease at bay.

Kids who develop fever and coughs should be sent to the hospital for diagnosis and medical treatment, they added.

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