How to protect my child from getting sick during seasonal changes?

Seasonal changes are considered by most mothers as their biggest nightmare or the annoying alarm that their kids will be sick for the next few weeks, and they are always blame themselves and think that maybe they can do something more to protect their kids from this illness.

Seasonal changes: 

Seasonal changes are critical because weather is unpredictable and viruses are more and spreading faster than usual stable climate. And because children are more vulnerable to viral infections and temperature swings so they are the most common group who get sick especially preschool age (from birth to 5 years).

 Dubai has two distinct seasons – summer and winter. Summer in Dubai begins from around the last week of April and ends around the 1st week of October. This period is characterized by very hot weather. Rainfall is scarce during the summer months. However, the windy conditions ensure there are frequent dust Storms. Temperatures regularly climb above 38 °C (100 °F) during this period and fall to around 26 °C (79 °F) Overnight. Winter in Dubai Begins from around the last week of October and lasts till the Beginning of April.

It happens every year: As soon as the winter weather breaks and the temperature starts rising as spring approaches, you or your child come down with a cold.

You are not alone. While the biggest surge in human rhinovirus infections occurs in the fall, springtime also ushers in a second peak season for common colds.

Why do we get sick during seasonal changes: -?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that dry winter air allows cold and flu viruses to survive longer and transmit more easily so, influenza viruses peak in the winter And the rhinovirus that causes colds peaks in the spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler.

The change of seasons also means different pollens and other allergens tend to spike.

In the spring there’s lots of trees, grasses and weeds dishing out pollens. Later flowers add to the mix.

As fall drops in moldy leaves are big allergy sources. As windows close for the season, indoor dusts and pet dander may also contribute to allergy discomfort.

 Protect Your Child from Weather Change Sickness: -

Prevention is always better than cure. However, sometimes, with taking care of so many things, it might slip our mind to take necessary precautions to keep our children away from season change related sickness. As soon as you see those initial weather change sickness symptoms in your child, adopt the following tips and prevent the sickness from growing in intensity.

Here is the ultimate guide to keeping kids safe and healthy in changing seasons.

1. Keep Your Child well Hydrated

Water helps flush the toxins out of the body. But with respect to season change, the importance of water is increased even more because it helps the body regulate its temperature. When your kids are not hydrated enough, the nasal passage and throat become dry. This makes it easy for germs to enter their body. Just ensure your little one drinks plenty of water through the day that itself can take care of half the problem.

Note: For children younger than 6 months, it is advised not to give them any water. Mother’s milk is enough hydration. In this case, just make sure you breastfeed your baby adequately.

2. Feed Your Child Citrus Fruits for Vitamin C.

There are different kinds of cells in our immune system that are responsible for fighting infections and keeping illness away. Some of these cells require an abundant supply of vitamin C to perform their functions well. When the season changes, eating extra vitamin C can act as a booster dose for these cells and help them perform their functions more efficiently.

Here are some Vitamin C rich foods to feed your child to boost his immunity against illness:

• 
  oranges
• lemons
• pineapple
• strawberries
• kiwi
• papaya

3. Make Sure You Child Gets Enough Dietary Fiber.

The food we feed our child, no matter how carefully prepared, can be a major source of pathogens and disease-causing germs. This is why, in our body, we have a major component of the immune system located in our gut. This component – known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) – constitutes and contributes to a large segment of the body’s first line of defense against pathogens and disease-causing microorganisms. For the proper functioning of the GALT, it is important we consume a good amount of fiber. Fiber – soluble as well as insoluble – plays a crucial role in clearing our bowels and keeping our digestive system running at optimal levels.

Make sure you feed your child fiber-rich foods:

• black beans
• lentils
• peas
• broccolis
• pears
• oatmeal
• carrots
• chia seeds 

 4. Include Eggs, Fish, Chicken and Other Protein-Rich Foods in Your Child’s Diet.

The immune system of the body is a vast and complex system that requires a lot of energy to keep running smoothly. The process of making cells, antibodies, fighting germs and pathogens, is a costly affair. In order to keep the body strong – especially the muscles – it is important to consume good amount of proteins. In fact, did you know that all antibodies are actually complex protein structures? To build proteins, we need to eat proteins!

5. Ensure your child eats berries for antioxidants.

Phagocytes are a kind of immune cell that act by ‘eating’ the bacteria that cause diseases, and killing them. In the process of doing so, they release many reactive oxygen molecules. These molecules, if not neutralized, can cause a lot of harm to the body. This is why we need to consume good amount of antioxidants in order to keep our immune system healthy and running.

Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, mulberries, as well as grapes, dark chocolate, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables are all great sources of antioxidants.

  

6. Include Dry Fruits and Nuts in Your Child’s Diet in winter.

The most common weather change sickness is the cold that children catch when winter comes.

 Not only do dry fruits and nuts give you energy, they give warmth during winter. One of the best ways, hence, to prevent your child from getting sick from cold weather, is to make them eat dry fruits and nuts. Make sure they consume almonds, walnuts, dates, raisins, and dry figs.

7. Feed Your Child Homemade Curd for Probiotics

Curd contains many good microorganisms that help keep our digestive system on track. As explained above in this article, the GALT in the gut needs to function well to keep infections away. One of the ways to ensure good gut health is to eat curd. Homemade curd contains living good bacteria that help keep the gut smooth and running. Apart from that, the calcium and protein in curd also has added benefits for our body’s immunity.

  

8. Make Good Use of Ginger, Tulsi, Turmeric, and Spices.

Ancient Ayurvedic texts are full of wisdom about the use of natural ingredients to keep all microorganisms away. Ayurveda suggests the abundant use of turmeric, ginger, and tulsi to keep seasonal sickness, especially cough and cold, away. Turmeric milk, tulsi water, and ginger candy are some of the easiest ways to consume this. As for spices, make sure you include black pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon in your daily food preparations in one way or the other.

 9. Cover Your Child’s Head while Stepping Out.

The connection between weather change and headaches is very strong.  The easiest way to keep weather change headaches away is to cover your head when you are out in the sun. Prevent the sun’s harmful rays from directly hitting your child’s head. Carry a scarf, and insist your child wears a cap or hat. As far as possible, do not expose children to direct sunlight between 11am and 5pm.

As for babies, ensure you dress them in layers to maintain their body at optimum temperatures. Babies do not sweat, so we have to take extra precaution to regulate their body temperature. Keep their chest, back, and throat covered during season change. In winters, make sure they are warm enough.

10. Ensure your child exercises too.

Most mothers will want to keep their children indoors as the seasons change outside. However, being indoors does not mean there should be no exercise. Make sure your child gets at least 30 minutes of stretching and basic exercise when indoors. If the weather is good enough to venture outside, a good 40-minute walk or run, or playtime can suffice. 

11. Personal hygiene, Bathing and Massaging.

The connection of hygiene and diseases is clear. A high degree of personal hygiene will help you ensure your child does not fall ill when the season changes. All mothers and teachers should teach the children and insist on personal hygiene like proper hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, cleaning nose with a disposable tissue and throw it immediately, not sharing personal utensils with anybody. If your child is only a baby, make sure you use good baby products. Massaging should also be part of your baby’s hygiene ritual. Massaging helps baby’s bones and muscles grow strong and improves blood circulation, in turn strengthening their immunity.

12. Ensure Good Sleep.

Sleep is the time for the body to rest, repair, and rejuvenate itself. Without a good night’s uninterrupted sleep, it will be of no use to follow all of the above steps. Ensure your child gets minimum 8 hours of sleep.

 13-seasonal vaccinations

Do not miss any of the obligatory vaccines and make sure to have the seasonal optional ones as well especially influenza virus vaccine as it is the most effective way for prevention.

For Breastfeeding Babies

All the above-mentioned points are great for babies over 1 year of age, older children, as well as for adults. However, for newborn and breastfeeding babies, this is going to be difficult to implement! In such a situation, please follow the following precautions:

• Follow all the above points yourself and ensure you are taking best care of yourself. Also, ensure your family members observe hygiene.

• Ensure you keep the baby’s things clean, especially toys. Toys can catch a lot of dust and germs.

• Breastfeed your baby as much as possible. All the food you consume can reach the baby through breastmilk, and keep the baby healthy and free from infections in the changing season.

• Ensure you follow your baby’s vaccination plan. Do not miss any vaccines, and do not delay any follow-up vaccines either.