UAE doctors warn of rise in flu cases among kids as schools reopen after winter break
Doctors in the UAE track rising flu-like symptoms among children because schools reopened on January 6 after a three-week winter break.
Healthcare providers see more visits from children at this time because schools restart after holiday breaks.
After winter break ends schools reopen and children from different neighborhoods bring flu viruses they spread among students according to healthcare professionals.
According to Dr Amjad Mouhammad Haider from International Modern Hospital the surge in flu-like symptoms has doubled pediatric patient numbers since November 2024.
Dr Ajmad explains that schools and shared spaces become major virus spreaders because children spend long hours together. Dr Amjad explained that cooler weather helps viruses reproduce and move between people more easily.
When children change their daily patterns and eat differently during the holiday break their immune systems weaken so they become more likely to get sick after returning to school.
Preventing further spread of the virus
Schools now ask parents to keep their sick children at home both for healing and virus control. As the flu season begins our school wants students and staff to follow critical health safety procedures to stay protected.
Among other advisories, one of the key points stated: Your child needs to stay at home for 24 hours after they recover from fever and illness without taking medications.
An IB school in Dubai told parents to keep their children at home when they show fever, cough, and fatigue until they are completely better. The notice read: Our guide is designed to teach you about influenza protection steps for yourself and your household during annual fall and winter seasons. Keep your sick child at home, if he/she develops these symptoms: Keep your sick child at home when they show signs of fever plus vomiting or diarrhea alongside tiredness and muscle pain.
When your child gets diagnosed with influenza send the school doctor/nurse both the clinic results and any lab findings. Keep your child home from school until the illness is completely gone according to the circular.
Influenza virus type A or B spreads more among children
Doctors have found that some children show only gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting instead of respiratory symptoms when they test positive for influenza viruses.
Dr Sherif Mohamed Mosaad Kamel of Zulekha Hospital Dubai explains that flu symptoms can vary between patients which makes timely diagnosis challenging.
Since January 2024 saw more children get influenza A or B than November 2024 did our team noticed the increase especially among school students when schools restarted after winter break.
Seek medical help right away when symptoms show up. The doctor recommends getting medical care quickly through clinical exams and nasal tests to start antiviral treatment which helps patients recover faster.
Importance of vaccinations, hygiene
As a paediatrician Dr Amr El Zawahry advises parents to give flu shots to their children while teaching them to use hand sanitizer and to protect their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.
Teach your children to stop putting their hands in their face particularly their eyes nose and mouth. He explained that these habits decrease how much flu virus children pass to others.
According to Dr Amr children should learn to protect their nose and mouth by using tissues or elbows when they sneeze or cough. He added that they need to wash their hands right after.
As per Dr Amr parents should keep their children home if they feel sick or have a fever to stop the virus from spreading in schools. The doctor explained that sending sick children home protects other students from flu infections during flu season.
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