Seek prompt medical treatment if children’s fever persists over 24 hours: Health authorities

Colombo, July 27 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of growing risk of dengue spread, Health authorities urged parents to seek prompt medical treatment without delay, if children's fever persists for more than 24 hours.

Director at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo, Dr. Pradeep Ratnasekara advised parents not to resort to unscientific home remedies claiming that staying at home and using home remedies wastes the time available to treat the child.

He urged parents to take the child to the nearest government hospital and seek proper medical advice.

Dr. Ratnasekara said around 50 children infected with dengue are currently receiving treatment at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and that about one-fourth of them are in critical condition.

He said if this situation worsens further, issues regarding hospital capacity could arise.

"I must particularly state that it is not necessary to bring your child to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital all the way from distant areas. The main reason for many deaths is late arrival at the hospital. If a fever persists for more than 24 hours, it is appropriate to seek medical advice. Instead of staying at home for days doing home remedies and wasting your valuable time along with the time required to provide the necessary treatment for the child, it is extremely important to bring them to a qualified doctor or a government doctor very quickly," he said.

He said only one dengue death has been reported in the Lady Ridgeway Hospital.