Diarrhea cases among kids rise during summer season –PMA

Cases of diarrhea among children usually rise throughout the summer season as many of them accidentally ingest pool water or seawater, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said on Monday.

As part of World Immunization Week from April 24 to 30, PMA president Dr. Benito Atienza underscored the importance of the Rotavirus vaccine that would prevent the rotavirus disease that could cause diarrhea.

“Ilang pasyente ko ngayong umaga lang, nagcheck-up ako, maraming nag da-diarrhea. Bakit? Kasi nakainom ng tubig sa dagat o nakainom sa swimming pool. Kailangan po ‘yan [ma-check] hindi natin alam kung virus ba ‘yan o bacterial,” he said during a Laging Handa briefing.

(Just this morning when I checked, many of my patients had diarrhea because they drank water from the sea or swimming pool. We need to check that because we don't know if it's viral or bacterial.)

“Napakahalaga po ang pagbabakuna lalo na ngayon uso ang diarrhea sa mga bata. Dapat po bigyan sila ng Rotavirus, summer po ngayon, nakakalabas ang mga bata,” he added.

(Vaccination is very important especially now that diarrhea is a trend among children. They should be given the Rotavirus vaccine, because this summer, many children get to go outside.)

Atienza further warned against recurring diseases such as coughs and colds among children as many of them now ignore minimum public health standards such as using face masks and avoiding crowded places.

“Madaming nagkakasakit na bata dahil mga nag-outing, pumunta kung saan-saan kasama ang matanda, ang mga bata nagkakahawaan na sila ng mga ubo’t sipon. Hindi po ito COVID kundi ‘yung mga dating sakit, bumabalik dahil ‘yung social distancing, ‘yung pagsusuot ng mask ay hindi na masyadong nasusunod ngayon,” he said.

(Many children now get sick because they go out with the adults, and they catch coughs and colds. It's not COVID but old diseases that are coming back because social distancing and wearing of masks are ignored.) — DVM, GMA News