Guide to the 7 most common childhood illnesses in the cold and how to prevent them

Throw the first stone who has never heard from his mother or grandmother the phrase "Put on your shirt so you don't get cold" or "Put a sock on that bare foot." You have certainly obeyed many times and now take care of your child with the same lessons learned every time the temperature of thermometers decreases.

What you did not know is the exposure of children to low temperatures is not directly related to disease. If so, how can we explain healthy children in the coldest places on the planet, such as the Swedish or the Eskimos? What makes young people sick is contact with viruses and bacteria that proliferate easily in the cold and dry climate, especially indoors.

The winter period implies an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases and infections in children, as the body's defense mechanism is still in its development phase and does not have enough antibodies to combat the invaders. Cases are common, especially when there is a sudden drop in temperature, but they can be circumvented without concern as all parents go through this.

The following are common cold illnesses that may be your children's winter villains:

FLU AND COLD

Both diseases lead the ranking of incidence in childhood. According to experts, it is common for children to have between 8 and 12 cases of these diseases during the year. It is practically one occurrence per month!

The difference between influenza and the cold is that the former is more severe, caused by the influenza virus, which has the ability to change its biological characteristics, making it difficult to fight the body. The cold can be caused by many types of viruses. The symptoms are similar but beware as the flu is much more intense and persistent. These include cough, sore throat and nasal discharge.

In both cases there may also be fever, but if you are high and accompanied by weakness and chills, it is likely to be flu and your child will need proper medication. In the case of a cold, the doctor may prescribe remedies that relieve the symptoms, but the human body is able to cope with this discomfort on its own.

ALLERGIES

According to statistics from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, the number of allergic children has been increasing. Asthma and rhinitis are the most common, and in addition to environmental factors such as pollution and pesticide intake, genetics are responsible for the disease, as children of allergic parents have a 50% chance of developing allergies as well.

While asthma is an inflammation of the airways, rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa in reaction to contact with the factor that causes allergy. Symptoms include stuffy nose and sneezing in case of rhinitis and shortness of breath, cough and chest pressure for asthma. Both diseases can get worse in children who have the flu or the cold and have no cure, so you need constant treatment to prevent your child from developing a worrying condition during the season.

OTITIS

From 0 to 3 years, it is common for children to face the disease, because, according to studies, 60% of cases of cold in infants 6 to 12 months can turn into otitis media, an infection that occurs in the ear.

In children who cannot speak yet, it is difficult to notice the symptoms, which are internal, but behavior change may be an indication that something is not going well. Feeding and bedtime can be painful movements due to the pressure that pus puts on your ear. Also, be aware of the ears of children: bad smell, plugged ear sensation and hearing difficulty with or without fever may be signs of an infection. The treatment is done with antibiotics and home-made methods, using the good old hot water bag to ease the discomfort.

MENINGITIS

It is the most serious of all winter diseases, and if left untreated it can be fatal. According to the Ministry of Health, lethal cases have declined in recent years. A vaccine to prevent the disease for children already exists, an action that helps eradicate meningitis.

Several microorganisms can inflame meninges, membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, but their most dangerous form is bacterial, especially meningococcal bacteria, which are spread through the airways. Symptoms can be mistaken for influenza, with high fever, weakness and headache. However, the patient also has vomiting, neck stiffness and central nervous system changes. The disease is confirmed with a lumbar puncture and needs to be rapidly treated with antibiotics to prevent sequelae.

PROTECT YOUR SON FROM COMMON WINTER DISEASES

The tips for preventing illness while temperatures don't rise are simple, much like those of old. If you start adopting them now, children can stay healthy throughout the winter.

1. Avoid indoors

Indoors, harmful microorganisms are more likely to develop and meet their target. Therefore, even in cold and windy conditions, it is necessary to let the air in and clean the house with frequent sheets change.

2. Escape the crowds

The possibility of having a sick person in a large group of people is high and if the place is closed the spread is certain! Even school can be a danger to your child, as parents often send chilled children to class.

3. Guide your child about sanitation

About the importance of hand washing, grandparents were right! Keeping your hands clean prevents your child from being exposed or exposing others to microorganisms that can cause disease. Also remembering to keep children's toys clean for the little one to play without having major problems. So always carry your gel alcohol in your baby bag to make it easy to clean the little hand in any situation.

4. Balanced diet

If you are still breastfeeding, continue as your baby has an increasingly strong immune system. Now, if your child is already eating solid foods, offering fresh foods that contain vitamins and antioxidants is a great option, plus plenty of water to hydrate.

5. Vaccination on time

Vaccines are safe and distributed free of charge at health clinics, preventing a number of typical winter diseases, such as influenza and meningitis.

Via advisory