Bad Weather Triggers A Surge In ARI To Children, Doctors Remind The Importance Of Maintaining Immunity

Illustration of sick children due to weather changes. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Pediatrician Darmawan Budi Setyanto explained that extreme weather changes can have a major impact on the health condition of children.

In the continuous rainy situation, cold air, or environments affected by flooding, the child's immune system tends to weaken so that the risk of infection with acute respiratory tracts (ARI) increases.

According to Darmawan, every body part such as skin, digestive tract, and airways has a natural defense system. However, exposure to bad weather and moist environment can reduce the effectiveness of this mechanism.

"When the weather does not support cold, wet, especially in areas that experience flooding, the body's resistance will decrease so that children are more susceptible to ARI," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

He added that cold and moist air during the rainy season makes the body have to work harder to adapt. This condition can reduce immunity so that children are more vulnerable to exposure to viruses and bacteria that cause respiratory diseases.

One of the disturbances that often appear during the rainy season is alesm, namely viral infections that attack the upper respiratory tract. This disease usually gives rise to coughs, runny noses, and fever due to excessive mucus production in the nose and throat when the body is fighting infection. In general, the selesma improves in two to three days when the immune system manages to get rid of the virus.

However, Darmawan reminded that conditions could worsen if infection spreads to the lungs and develops to pneumonia.

"In a small part of the ISPA case, the infection is not only in the upper respiratory tract, but also in the lungs. This can cause the breath to become fast and short of breath," he explained. Usually, early symptoms in the form of cough colds and fever appear for 34 days, then on the 4th day or 5 children begin to experience shortness of breath which indicates pneumonia.

Although only a small part of the cases continue to become lung infections, he emphasized the need for consistent prevention. Implementation of clean and healthy living behavior, wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining nutritious intake are important steps to reduce the risk of ARI in children.

He emphasized that complete nutrition including protein, vegetables, and fruit greatly affects immunity.

"If the need for protein, vegetables, and fruit is met, vitamins and minerals are automatically fulfilled. So actually there is no need to rely too much on additional vitamins," he said. Supplement may be given, but it cannot be used as a guarantee that the body becomes immune.

For volunteers who work in flood areas, Darmawan reminded the importance of continuing to wear masks, meeting nutritious food needs, and resting enough so that they are not susceptible to disease.