Ways to protect children from winter infections

Children, whose immune systems are much weaker than adults', are falling ill very frequently these days due to viruses and bacteria in droplets spread through the air during coughing, sneezing, and talking. Here are the ways to protect children from winter infections...

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Ways to protect children from winter infections

In winter months, the risk of infection transmission is higher due to the effect of spending more time in crowded and closed environments.

Among the diseases that most frequently knock on children's doors in recent days are the common cold, flu, acute bronchiolitis, and pharyngitis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THESE DISEASES AND HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST THEM?

Common cold: The common cold is at the top of the list of the most frequently seen winter diseases in children. In the treatment of the common cold, which manifests itself with symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation, it is emphasized that washing the nose with saline solution, healthy nutrition, consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, drinking plenty of water, and resting are very important. Since the common cold is a viral infection, there is no place for antibiotics in its treatment. Unnecessary antibiotic use leads to antibiotic resistance in the body and causes serious harm instead of benefit.

Flu: Emphasizing that influenza (flu), which has been very common recently, is transmitted very easily in closed and crowded environments, Dr. Yüksel lists the main symptoms of the disease as high and persistent fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, chills, redness in the eyes, coughing, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Stating that, unlike in adults, influenza infections in children can first appear with diarrhea, vomiting, or redness, watering, and itching in the eyes, Dr. Yüksel says that it is essential to consult a doctor and that it is extremely important to avoid indiscriminate antibiotic use, as antibiotics will not be beneficial in treatment unless a bacterial infection is present.

Bronchiolitis: Bronchiolitis, which is a source of viral infection and has been seen very frequently in babies under two years old in recent days, is defined as wheezing and respiratory distress that develops after upper respiratory tract complaints. It is stated that the disease, which initially progresses with a runny nose and mild fever in babies who are in crowded environments and exposed to cigarette smoke, descends to the lungs and leads to respiratory distress, rapid breathing, and wheezing.

Acute pharyngitis: Pharyngitis, the nightmare of winter months, which has a very high risk of transmission and is spread through droplets, means inflammation of the tonsils. In pharyngitis, which often starts with high fever, chills, shivering, difficulty swallowing, and throat and ear pain, complaints progress and increase. It is known that if pharyngitis is not treated correctly and in a timely manner, it can pave the way for middle ear infections related to tonsillitis and even rheumatic heart disease.

10 WAYS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM WINTER INFECTIONS

Feed them seasonal vegetables and fruits.
Pay attention to the consumption of plenty of fluids (water, ayran, kefir, soup) throughout the day.
Regularly ventilate the environment where the child is.
Have them take short walks in the open air.
Help them develop the habit of not touching their face during the day and washing their hands with soap.
Ensure they rest at home if they do not feel well enough to go to school.
Do not smoke at home. Even if smoked in an environment where the child is not present, the smell that clings to you will bother the child.
Encourage them to wear a mask to protect themselves if there is a sick person around them.
Explain that they should wash their hands after touching common areas such as handles and door knobs on public transport.
Ensure they sneeze into a paper tissue or their arm, not into their palm.

News Source: 12punto