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Children hardest hit as heavy rains fuel chest infections

The increased number of patients seeking treatment for chest infections has been blamed on the rains.

The Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital medical superintendent, Joseph Mburu, said the number of chest infection patients visiting the facility had gone up by at least 15 per cent in the recent past. Children aged between five and 12 were the most affected, he said.

“Cases of children treated for chest infections at the facility are on the increase. The cases are attributed to the ongoing rains,” said Dr Mburu.

Persistent cough

He added that the symptoms included persistent cough, high temperature, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, wheezing, and breathing difficulty.

Most of those suffering from chest infections were said to be from Nakuru town, Molo, Bahati, Elburgon, and Gilgil sub-counties.

The doctor said majority of those affected were outpatients, but some serious cases had been admitted to the wards.

Mburu asked parents to take their children for treatment when they complained of chest pain as any delay could lead to complications.

Late diagnosis

“Patients should seek treatment on time. We discourage late diagnosis because it worsens someone’s health condition,” he said.

In 2016, at least 39 children died in the county after contracting influenza types A and B. The disease was reported in Nakuru North, Nakuru East, Nakuru West, Njoro, Rongai, and Molo sub-counties. Nakuru North was the most affected, with 15 deaths.

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