Why Kids Fall Sick Every Monsoon - And It's Not Just Cough and Cold Anymore
The sound of rain may feel romantic to some, but for parents? It's a seasonal alarm bell. Not just puddles and power cuts, an annual wave of infections that hit kids the hardest.
Warm clothes? Check. Fever meds? Check. Mosquito repellents, cough syrup, a thermos full of warm water? Check. This isn't a camping checklist. This is what Megha Gopinath, mother of two school-going kids aged 13 and 8 in Bengaluru, ticks off every morning once the monsoon arrives.
'The moment one of them starts coughing, turmeric milk becomes non-negotiable. Thankfully, they aren't fussy anymore; they got used to it during COVID," she says, juggling tiffin boxes and umbrellas.
The sound of rain may feel romantic to some, but for parents? It's a seasonal alarm bell. Monsoon doesn't just bring puddles and power cuts, it brings an annual wave of infections that hit kids the hardest.
Why Monsoon = Virus Party for Kids
'This weather is perfect for viruses," warns Dr. Vishwanath Bhat B K, Pediatrician and Neonatologist at Radhakrishna Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru. 'High humidity triggers viruses to come out of dormancy. This muggy weather becomes a breeding ground for respiratory, skin, and digestive infections."
The most common? Respiratory infections like bronchiolitis, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), and influenza variants like H1N1. Particularly, infants aged between 2 months to 2 years are highly vulnerable, says Dr. Bhat.
'The good part is most viral infections in children are self-limiting. They resolve with good supportive care," he adds.
The sniffles and sore throats are just the opening act. 'Respiratory issues that escalate rapidly in kids under six are a real worry," says Dr. Mounnish Balaji, Pediatric Pulmonologist – allergy and sleep specialist at Ankura Hospital for Women and Child, Pune.
What starts as a cold can often end up as wheezing, pneumonia, or bronchiolitis. The cold virus can slip down to the lungs, shrinking the tiny airways.
'Unlike adults, 90% of wheezing in children shows up as repeated coughing and disturbed sleep, not classic breathing difficulty," Dr. Balaji explains. 'Out of every 20 patients I see, 12 are wheezers this season."
The Nebulizer Mistake Most Parents Make
Dr. Balaji highlights a major error: overuse of nebulizers. 'Parents think nebulizing is the treatment. It's not. It's an emergency relief trick."
The real fix? 'Target the airway inflammation itself using inhalers and controller medications not just open the airway temporarily." Visiting a paediatrician is definitely the key here.
New Trouble This Monsoon: HFMD and Stomach Bugs
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Paediatricians across cities are reporting a sharp rise in HFMD — a contagious viral infection that causes red rashes, painful blisters on hands, feet, mouth, and sometimes the buttocks. It typically affects children below 10 years.
'HFMD spreads rapidly in schools and playgroups. Most cases resolve in 7–10 days, but it's highly uncomfortable with painful mouth sores and fever. Reddish rashes around the neck is a definite indication" warns Dr. Bhat.
HFMD spreads through saliva, nasal discharge, and surfaces, making classrooms and playgrounds high-risk spaces.
Digestive Infections on the Rise
It's not just cough and cold. Monsoon also brings a surge in stomach infections — from mild food poisoning to viral gastroenteritis.
'Cases of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration among children are also very common this season" says Dr. Balaji. The culprits? Contaminated water, street food, and poor hygiene.
'Digestive infections weaken immunity further, making kids more susceptible to secondary infections like respiratory viruses or skin infections," he adds.
When to See the Doctor – No Delays Here
If fever persists beyond 3 days.
If cough doesn't settle after 5 days.
Rashes, mouth sores, or blisters
If there's diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration (dry lips, low urine output).
If child has difficulty breathing, noisy wheezing, or poor sleep due to cough.
Do's:
Stick to home-cooked, warm meals.
Apply mosquito repellent creams. Avoid sprays indoors to reduce respiratory triggers.
Change clothes immediately after school; a hot shower is even better.
Teach and enforce handwashing and foot cleaning.
Keep sick kids at home – whether it's cough, fever, or even mild diarrhea. HFMD and viral infections spread like wildfire in classrooms.
Don'ts:
Don't rely solely on nebulizers. Use them only with pediatrician advice.
Avoid street food, raw salads, and uncovered snacks during the monsoon.
Don't ignore persistent coughs, it could signal deeper lung involvement.
Stop sending kids to crowded classes or play areas if they're unwell.
Why This Monsoon Feels Worse Than Usual
'Post-COVID, children's immunity has changed. We're seeing higher numbers of RSV, HFMD, and gastrointestinal infections than we did 5 years ago," Dr. Bhat points out.
Data backs this up. A 2023 Lancet study on post-pandemic immunity trends found that respiratory and digestive infections among children in urban India surged by nearly 28% compared to pre-2020 levels.
Prevention Beats Cure. Always.
Doctors agree on one thing prevention is your best medicine this monsoon. A disciplined routine of hygiene, hydration, and prompt care can save parents weeks of worry.
The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
child health monsoon care tips
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 02, 2025, 15:18 IST
News lifestyle Why Kids Fall Sick Every Monsoon - And It's Not Just Cough and Cold Anymore
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pharma rivals unite to back Made-in-India vaccines
NEW DELHI: Pharma promoters may be competing fiercely in the market, but on Thursday they all rallied behind domestically- manufactured vaccines, including those for polio and Covid-19. Satish Reddy, chairman of Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Dilip Shanghvi, promoter and CMD of Sun Pharma, Pankaj Patel chairman and promoter of Zydus Lifesciences, and Torrent Pharma chairman Samir Mehta —industry leaders known for their media reticence—each took to social media platforms to endorse India-made vaccines. These comments come amid rising concerns over sudden deaths in Karnataka, and claims that Covid-19 vaccines might be associated with heart attacks. In separate posts, they highlighted that these vaccines are safe, effective, and trusted in over 90 countries, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), and widely used across the globe. India accounts for 60% of global vaccine production. During the Covid pandemic, vaccines played a crucial role, and India supplied vaccines and critical medicines across the world. Linking the deaths to the COVID-19 vaccine without any scientific evidence is incorrect and misleading, they added. ``They helped end polio & fight COVID. At a time when India is seen as a vaccine leader, let's build trust in science, not doubt it. Public health must stay above politics'', Reddy said in a post on micro-blogging site, X. Interestingly, all comments were posted on the same day, which is unprecedented. Patel said on X ``There are other multiple reasons like age, environmental factors, genetics, lifestyle etc, that could be the leading cause of heart attacks in people. Several scientific studies globally and in India have conclusively shown that the risk of heart attack or myocarditis is greater after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It has been proven beyond doubt that vaccination remains the most effective and preventive healthcare strategy to reduce deaths and disabilities''. ``The vaccine has been administered to millions across the country. If there were a connection, we would have seen similar incidents in many other places - which is not the case. The state health authorities should thoroughly investigate the situation to determine the cause'', Shanghvi stated in a Linkedin post. Batting for the ``knowledge-driven sector which plays a vital role in global health'', Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance secretary general Sudarshan Jain said ``Misinformation and distortion of facts endanger public health and undermine the trust built on science and patient care globally''. Further, Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said in a post on X that COVID-19 vaccines developed in India were approved, following ``rigorous protocols''. She debunked Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah's view which linked heart-related deaths in Hassan to Covid vaccine. O n July 1, he had said "hasty approval and distribution" of the vaccine to the public could also be a reason for the multiple deaths. UK major AstraZeneca had also licensed Pune-based Serum Institute of India to manufacture the Covid-19 vaccine, which was sold as Covishield in the country. It was also shipped to several countries as part of the govt's `Vaccine Maitri' initiative. Earlier, the health ministry said that extensive studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research and All India Institute of Medical Sciences have conclusively established no linkage between COVID-19 vaccines, and sudden deaths among adults post-COVID-19.
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
No link between Covid vaccine and sudden cardiac arrest in young people: AIIMS Delhi study finds
There is no link between the Covid-19 vaccine and deaths in young people from cardiac arrest, claimed an ongoing study being conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi. These deaths were attributed to coronary artery disease (CHD) linked to poor lifestyle choices. These preliminary findings are part of an interim report based on a study, titled 'Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young', which AIIMS is conducting in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research. On Thursday, doctors involved in the study said the cause of death among the young population was CHD. Addressing the risk factor around Covid vaccination, Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor of Community Medicine, said there was a huge benefit from vaccination. 'A certain risk is always present, which is why we do a risk and benefit analysis before starting any vaccination,' he added. Dr Rai was the principal investigator of the vaccine safety (phases 1 & 2) and effectiveness (phase 3) trial at AIIMS. Dr Abhishek Yadav, Professor of Forensic Medicine, said the study began in 2023 with a sample size of 300 medico-legal cases of sudden deaths. Post-mortems in these cases were conducted in the AIIMS Forensic Medicine Department. 'These were people between the ages of 18 and 45 years and 45 and 60 years… almost all of them had taken the Covid vaccine,' he said. Dr Sudheer Arava, Professor, Department of Pathology, who was involved in the study, said the biggest problem was coronary artery disease — more than 50% of those who died of the disease had a history of alcohol consumption and smoking. Almost all of them had evidence of the Covid-19 vaccine — either a single, double or booster dose. Explaining how they arrived at the findings, Dr Yadav said, 'These were people between the ages of 18 and 45 years and 45 and 60 years… almost all of them had taken the Covid vaccine. We first did a verbal autopsy where we noted down the patient's detailed history, stress, habits, etc. We then did a virtual autopsy and later a traditional autopsy, where we investigated every organ in the body. We then did a histopathological analysis of organs with the help of microscopy.' 'We examined every organ along with the forensic department and did whole body scans, whole body examinations… So any of the secondary causes we would have picked up might have caused the death of these people,' added Dr Arava. Dr Arava further said two-thirds of cardiovascular causes were atherosclerosis (plaque buildup inside the arteries). 'The less common causes were congenital heart problems, the heart vessels not being straight, the original vessels being small, and heart infections. All these problems were in less than 5% of the total sample size,' he added. He further said, looking at the pattern of deaths, there is no difference between the pre-Covid era and the post-Covid era. 'Vaccination has no role to play. The sudden deaths were happening pre-Covid too. The only thing that changed is that we have become more aware.' Dr Ambuj Roy, Professor, Cardiology, who was a part of the study, said vaccines act as a protective factor against cardiac complications of Covid. They reduced venous thrombosis or clotting in veins by 80%, arterial clotting, which leads to heart and brain attacks, by 50% and also reduced heart failure by 50%. According to Dr Rajiv Narang, Professor and Head, Cardiology, the risk factors include smoking, which is easily preventable. 'In the maximum number of heart attack cases where we have to conduct angioplasty, smoking was the most common factor. The other risks are diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, psychosocial stress which leads to abnormal hormone release, and abdominal obesity. Protective factors include exercising regularly and consuming fruits and vegetables,' he said. In the next part of the ongoing study, a molecular-level analysis will be done to find any connection between vaccines and deaths. 'We will analyse any mutation or variation on the molecular level, if any,' said Dr Arava.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt Reaffirms COVID Vaccine Safety as Private Hospitals Stay Quiet—Raising Questions
New Delhi: As concerns about sudden cardiac deaths among young adults continue to make headlines, the Indian government and top pharmaceutical voices have reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and not linked to heart-related fatalities. However, a curious silence from leading private hospitals and senior doctors—who played a central role in the nationwide vaccination drive—is beginning to raise questions about transparency and public engagement. Private hospitals, which were deeply involved in the vaccination rollout, remaining silent at this juncture cannot be taken lightly. This silence is not necessarily an admission of doubt, but the absence of their voice in the public domain—especially when scientific clarity is most needed—has not gone unnoticed. Health authorities maintain that India's vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and regulatory scrutiny. Dr. G.V.J.A. Harshavardhan, Director General of the Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association, in an official statement, reaffirmed:'COVID-19 vaccines of India were developed and manufactured with the highest safety and quality standards. Patient safety and product quality are always prioritized during the vaccine development and its manufacture.' He added that all vaccines were approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) based on extensive preclinical and clinical trials demonstrating safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity. 'Prior to their release, all COVID-19 vaccines are tested extensively for safety by the manufacturers and are also provided Batch Release Certification by the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,' he said. 'The strengths of innovation and large-scale high-quality manufacturing are the hallmarks of the Indian vaccine ecosystem.' India's Global Vaccine Leadership During the pandemic, India supplied vaccines to over 90 countries under its Vaccine Maitri initiative. Officials cite this as proof of international confidence in Indian-made vaccines. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, echoed this sentiment and raised concerns about the harmful impact of misinformation. 'The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a knowledge-driven sector and plays a vital role in global health. India accounts for 60 per cent of global vaccine production. These vaccines have been well documented and rigorously tested as per regulatory processes,' he said. 'Misinformation and distortion of facts endanger public health and undermine the trust built on science and patient care globally.' Private Hospitals, Key Vaccination Partners, Maintain Silence as Questions Mount Despite these strong assurances, prominent private hospitals and top medical experts associated with them have largely refrained from commenting on the rising concerns related to post-vaccination adverse events . ETHealthworld reached out to several hospital networks involved in mass immunization, but most declined to comment or said they had no official position at this time. This silence is puzzling. These institutions were once highly vocal during the vaccine rollout, actively conducting drives, issuing FAQs, and promoting vaccine awareness. Their muted response today, amid public anxiety, is being seen as a missed opportunity to educate and reassure. 'We're not blaming hospitals,' said a senior public health expert, 'but their absence in this conversation is noticeable. If the data supports vaccine safety—as government and pharma leaders insist—then trusted medical institutions should lead from the front, explaining how adverse events are monitored and managed. Silence only deepens doubt.' Experts say the role of private hospitals is critical not just in vaccine delivery, but in reinforcing public trust. With vaccine hesitancy rising globally, communication gaps—especially from frontline players—risk allowing misinformation to fill the void. Why Transparency Now Matters More Than Ever? In an age where misinformation travels faster than facts, silence can be dangerous. Transparency—even when dealing with rare or uncomfortable adverse events—is essential to preserving long-term confidence in scientific interventions. India's COVID-19 vaccination program has been widely praised for its scale and speed. But success in public health doesn't end with delivery—it continues through open dialogue, education, and the courage to confront evolving narratives head-on. As the debate around vaccine safety intensifies, it is essential that all stakeholders—government bodies, pharmaceutical leaders, and healthcare institutions—participate in a unified, fact-based public conversation. Rebuilding and reinforcing public trust isn't just a policy goal. It's a shared responsibility.
