A patient is examined at Việt Nam - Cuba Friendship Hospital in Hà Nội's Hoàn Kiếm District. — Photo hanoimoi.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — As the temperature drops across the country, number of hospital admissions is on the rise.

Doctors say high humidity and cold weather are perfect conditions for infectious diseases to spread.

In addition to an increase in COVID, dengue fever and flu, more elderly patients are needing treatment for heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.

Hà Nội Mới (New Hà Nội) reported that the Việt Nam - Cuba Friendship Hospital in Hoàn Kiếm District recorded an increase in the number of patients compared to before the Lunar New Year's Eve. 

The hospital received nearly 300 patients, many needed treatment at internal medicine, ear, nose and throat and paediatric wards. 

Doctors say the cold weather can cause respiratory diseases for children and worsen chronic diseases in the elderly such as heart diseases, blood pressure, bone and joint problems or bronchial asthma. 

In E Hospital, Cầu Giấy District, between 80 and 100 patients are admitted each day for stroke and heart issues.

The number of elderly patients has increased by between 10 and 15 per cent in recent days. 

The rate of patients with diseases related to respiratory and bone problems also increased by up to 20 per cent.

The Cardiovascular Centre E Hospital saw eight patients a day, most with serious blood pressure problems, heart diseases and strokes, with some needing a ventilator, Dr Lý Đức Ngọc, deputy head of Cardiology Centre said.

Temperature fluctuations during the change of seasons saw an increase in infectious diseases such as dengue fever.

From February 1 to 10, Hà Nội recorded 10 cases of dengue fever, Hà Nội Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reported.

Khổng Minh Tuấn, deputy head of Hà Nội CDC, said although COVID-19 cases increased, there had been a drop in winter-spring communicable diseases compared to the same period last year. 

But people should not be complacent, Tuấn said. 

Elderly patients with chronic diseases, such as blood pressure, heart disease or asthma need to take medicine regularly as prescribed by their doctor and seek medical attention if they have symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, Dr Phạm Xuân Hiếu from E Hospital said. 

Parents and teachers also need to guide child preventive measures to protect their health in response to respiratory infections.

Along with vaccination, children need to ensure proper nutrition and activities to strengthen their resistance and avoid getting overweight, said Dr Nguyễn Thành Nam, director of Pediatric Center, Bạch Mai Hospital.

With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, director of the Hà Nội Department of Health Trần Thị Nhị Hà requested the directors of health centres in districts and towns need to strengthen management and monitor people with mild and asymptomatic F0 cases treated at home. Severe cases need to be closely and quickly monitored to minimise the mortality rate. — VNS