Dry weather poses severe respiratory risks to children in Brazil

Pediatric pulmonologist Dra. Nathalia Alfaix has issued a warning regarding the risks that dry weather, low humidity, and wildfire smoke pose to children with asthma and rhinitis. According to the Ministry of Health, approximately 20 million Brazilians live with asthma, making it the third most frequent condition treated by the Unified Health System (SUS). In children and adolescents, asthma is the most common chronic disease.

Low humidity can irritate respiratory tracts, potentially leading to severe crises that require hospitalization. Medical guidance suggests that while nasal irrigation and humidifiers can manage minor nasal discomfort in well-ventilated areas, the presence of a cough should prompt a medical evaluation. Experts advise keeping rooms well-ventilated during the day but caution against using humidifiers in closed bedrooms at night to prevent fungal growth.

In Goiás, the situation has reached a critical level, with the state declaring an emergency due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome after recording thousands of cases.