Dealing with Seasonal Illnesses in Children : A Parent’s Guide

It is a cold season, and people feel more comfortable inside the house as well as kids get more sick, during winter more often. During this season, children suffering from TB get infected with a variety of diseases due to low temperatures leading to the increased intensity of indoor activities.. This blog gives information on the flue and other conditions that children may develop during a particular season and ways to prevent them.

1. Overview of Winter Conditions in Children

In winter season, children are more vulnerable to several diseases because of cold weather, increased contact indoor and also circulation of winter diseases. Some common winter illnesses include:

Cold and Flu: Seasonal flu and the common cold are the two most frequent diseases during the winter season. These viral infections are very contagious especially when transmitted for example in schools or a daycare center.
Respiratory Infections: Cold may adversely affect the respiratory system, and this causes bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma incidences in the region.
Strep Throat: This is a bacterial infection that affects throat area and causes sore throat, fever and stomach ache at times. Whereas it’s more frequent in the winter season especially when children are together in school or any other place.
Ear Infections: Cold weather experienced during winter puts young children at greater risk of developing ear infections since the cold dry air in turns mucus making fluid to buildup inside the ears.
Winter Skin Conditions: The symptoms include dryness of the skin, a disease that develops on the skin called dermatitis, and development of cracks on the lips which are some of the winter ailments that affect children.

2. Symptoms to Watch For

Cold and Flu: Sneh discharging from the nose, continuous cough, pain when swallowing food, high fever, chillings, and frequent fatigue.
Respiratory Infections: Shortness of breath, whistling sound while breathing or a cough that does not go away.
Strep Throat: Severe forms of the condition are accompanied by sore throat, fever, headache, and nausea.
Ear Infections: Earache, sleeplessness, and occasionally high temperature.
Dry Skin and Eczema: Eczema, rashes, itchiness and scaling, cracking, and rough texture; dry and cracked lips, rosacea, cheek flush.

Should any of these symptoms show in your child you should seek medical attention to get a professional diagnosis.

3. Possible Strategies in the Prevention of Seasonal Diseases amongst Children

While it’s not always possible to avoid illness, there are several steps parents can take to minimize the risk of seasonal sicknesses:

Encourage Regular Handwashing: One of the best methods for children to be kept away from the viruses is by ensuring that they wash their hands often with water especially to and after eating and after they have used the toilet.
Boost Immunity with Nutrition: Give your child lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods such as carrots, dairy products, meat and eggs, that contain vitamins A, C and D to help build up their immune system.
Flu Vaccination: You can get your child vaccinated against the flu, meaning he or she is not likely to catch the virus.
Keep Them Warm and Dry: Putting on layers of clothing and/or wearing hats and scarves, gloves, and keeping kids dry while they are out to play can help avoid getting colds and the flu.
Maintain a Healthy Environment: Also make sure they’re eating right and they are getting enough sleep and that they drink enough water.

4. How to Handle Seasonal Diseases When They Set in

Rest and Hydration: Staying hydrated along with resting is very important if you want to help the child gain health after contracting diseases like colds and flu. Include them in sip a lot of water, herbal teas and clear soups to avoid dehydration.
Over-the-Counter Remedies: A congested nose or sore throat, for example, can be treated with over the counter medication.
Keep Them Isolated: If your child is unwell, it is recommended they do not attend school or daycare in order not to infect other children.
Consult a Pediatrician: However, if your child has these symptoms on him or she worsens do not wait for the general expiration; you ought to contact a pediatrician. They can also give the child proper treatment and confirm whether the child has any other conditions or not.

5. Winter Skin Care Tips

Chances are you know how the dry, cold air of winter destroys a child’s skin. To protect your child from winter skin conditions:

Moisturize Regularly: After bath, make sure that your child wears no scented lotion when putting on their clothes, use fragrance-free lotion to moisturize the skin.
Use Gentle Soaps: Avoid the use of soaps that will make the skin dry, instead, choose those lotions which will moisturize the skin.
Hydrate: You should remind your child to take water, even when it is cold since this will keep skin moist.
Wear Soft Fabrics: Avoid dressing your child in harsh wool or polyester clothes instead first ensure that you dress you child in smooth fabrics that do not cause skin irritation.

Conclusion

Getting proper nutrition, washing more frequently, and making sure that you are warm when in the house can help avoid getting sick at the winter period. If illness does happen, then timely treatment and care will ensure your child gets back to normal a quickly and with minimal discomfort as possible. Be active, be wearing and keep your kids to illness free this winter! Click here for the source