NAN-H-42
Pneumonia
By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu, July 11, 2017 (NAN) Dr Julian Ochi, a Paediatrician at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu, has advised parents against exposing their children to cold to prevent pneumonia and complications associated with it.
Ochi gave the advice on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.
The medical practitioner said that with the rainy season still on, parents and teachers should carefully cover up children to prevent them from catching cold.
She explained that pneumonia was caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
According to her, studies have shown that pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children from zero to five years.
“Pneumonia is the most common among those with weaker or compromised immune systems and people suffering from other diseases.
“So, it is important to give children food rich in vitamin like fruits,” the paediatrician said.
Ochi said rainy season was characterised by cold, saying that it was very important to take precautions, especially in children who were unsuspecting and in their innocence might come in contact with the disease.
She urged teachers to watch their pupils closely in schools, help them to maintain hygiene, especially while eating and toileting, saying that pneumonia was contagious.
The paediatrician also advised parents to always put on thick clothes like sweaters and other materials on their children to prevent them from catching cold.
Ochi also advised parents to teach their children the importance of handwashing, adding that it was necessary to prevent them from contacting pneumonia. (NAN)
OJI/MNA/GOK
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Olagoke Olatoye