Ho Chi Minh City and other southern Vietnamese provinces have been experiencing unseasonal rains in recent days. While the cooler weather brings relief, health experts warn that it also increases the risk of illnesses, especially among children.

According to Dr. Tran Dac Nguyen Anh, head of the pediatric health department at Children’s Hospital 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, the damp conditions create an ideal environment for viruses and bacteria to thrive, leading to respiratory infections, colds, flu, allergies, skin diseases, and digestive issues. 

Children with asthma may experience worsened symptoms, while humidity-related conditions like diaper rash, fungal infections, and allergies could become more common.

The stagnant water left by the rains also encourages mosquito breeding, increasing the risk of dengue fever. 

Meanwhile, hand-foot-and-mouth disease spreads more easily in humid conditions, and intestinal infections such as diarrhea and food poisoning become more frequent.

Dr. Anh advised parents to watch for warning signs such as persistent fever, difficulty breathing, prolonged vomiting, or dehydration and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms worsen. 

He also stressed the importance of flu vaccination, proper hygiene, and keeping children dry and warm to prevent illness.

Parents should also minimize children’s exposure to rainwater, avoid wearing wet clothing for extended periods, and maintain proper nutrition to boost their immune systems.

Homes should be kept clean and dry, with mosquito control measures in place to prevent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.

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