The prevailing cold wave condition in all parts of the state has increased the patients of viral infections in the hospitals of the state. The doctors suggest that the parents should avoid their children from exposing to cold conditions and for this children should be dissuaded from going out in the open during early morning and late evenings.

The deputy medical superintendent of the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospital, Dr N S Kharti said that the 15 to 20 per cent increase in OPD patients is being observed.

Dr Khatri who also is a paediatrician said that parents of children with a history of allergic reactions should be extra careful these days.  The cold wave like condition has ensured that the number of children visiting the OPDs with complaints of common cold and seasonal allergies increase.

Dr Khatri said the diseases like common cold, bronchitis, viral dysentery and pneumonia affect children in these days. He informed that since the children are more susceptible to the air borne infections they should be prevented from the exposure to these diseases.

The paediatrician advised that the parents should ensure that their children remain indoors during morning and night, take fresh nutritious food and drink warm water. He said that everyone should drink plenty of water these days. The reason for children being susceptible to infections is due to their low immunity arising out of the fact that they have low fat deposition in their body.

The children tend to catch infections in the school; doctors suggest that to prevent cold from spreading the parents should advice their children to wash their hands regularly.   Medicos are of the opinion that 80 percent of infectious diseases are spread by touch and bacteria responsible for cold also spread by this method. 

Similarly the children should be asked to cover nose and mouth during sneezing and use of disinfectants should be encouraged.

 Like children, the elderly too are exposed to variety of problems in winters. One of the chief tormentors of senior citizens is Hypothermia.

Due to less body fat the elderly fall prey to hypothermia when they are exposed to cold weather. Doctors are of view that the senior citizens should keep them hydrated and should wear warm clothes which cover their body properly. The food having sufficient supply of vitamin D is also recommended to them by the doctors.