The people of the city have been suffering from extreme hot weather for a week. They’ve becoming unsettled due scorching sunlight. Because of this change in the weather, people are getting caught by the diseases like fever, cough, diarrhea, skin diseases, chicken pox etc. The outbreak of these diseases is seen mostly among children and elders. Hence, the experts suggested the people to take more water, saline, and treatment if necessary.

Professor Emeritus and Prime Minister’s private physician, Dr ABM Abdullah told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “The hot weather is getting to extreme condition this year. So, people from children to elders, men who work being exposed to sunlight, mental, cardiac, and diabetic and Kidney patients are in greater danger of getting to worse situation. If the temperature is excess, then problems like dehydration, heat crump, fatigue, heat stroke might be occurred frequently.”

The number of patients infected with contagious disease chicken pox admitting into hospitals is increasing. The maximum victims of it are children. Till now, 270 children were infected with it and 5 died. The physicians also informed that the number of patients is larger than that of previous year. The outbreak of this disease is greater from January to May.

It can spread through sneezing, coughing, spitting, being together and eating. The blister that contains the germs of chicken pox can spread the disease if it bursts. The infectious diseases hospitals in the capital are the only specialized institution in the treatment of this infectious disease. In addition to treating chicken pox patients in the emergency department, the hospital also has a 25-bed critical care ward, which is almost always full. Every day 2-3 patients are admitted to infectious diseases hospital with chicken pox. Currently 20 people are admitted to the hospital, 15 of whom are children.

According to the data provided by the Infectious Diseases Hospital, 350 patients with chicken pox were admitted to the institution last year. Among them, 12 people died. 270 patients have been admitted this year. Currently 20 people are under treatment. Five of them died. Two children were among the dead.

Infectious Disease Hospital consultant Dr. Md. Ariful Basar told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "Every year, chicken pox is more common at this time. However, this year the rate of infection is higher than that of last year. Those whose condition is critical are admitted to the hospital and given treatment.”

Advising the patients, he said, "Many patients take quack or Ayurvedic treatment. Adverse reactions to these lead to skin burns in many patients, making the situation worse. So, you have to take medicine according to the doctor's advice. In summer, people are suffering from itchy skin and allergies. Excess sweat is produced in the body and the sweat glands and ducts burst. The sweat accumulates under the skin, which creates scratches. Again sweat and dirt accumulate over the skins and the mouth of the sweat duct is closed and infection is also occurring. Apart from bacteria, fungal diseases are also more common during this time due to sweat and dirt. People who stay under direct sunlight for long periods can burn their skin. It causes red, burning, itching and blistering of the skin. Mainly the ultraviolet rays of the sun are responsible for this.”

 In this regard, the managing director of LabAid Group Dr. AM Shamim told The Bangladesh Pratidin, 'Every year it gets hot at this time. People are affected by various diseases due to weather changes and intense heat. So, drink enough water at this time. If you mix a little sugar and salt with water and drink it two or three times, you will get benefits. Health aspects of children and the elderly should be taken care of. Children should wear thin clothes. They should be kept away from direct sunlight.”

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on April 16 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque