Children attending schools and kindergartens are at risk of contracting ARVI.
Photo: Nikolay OBEREMCHENKO
A well-known phenomenon: as soon as you send your child to daycare or school after the holidays, he immediately returns home with a runny nose, a red throat, a cough… Although he went to see the children completely healthy! The fact that the same preschooler goes to kindergarten for a week and then gets sick for two weeks is due to immature immunity and the presence of children with colds in the group. And parents who want their children to get sick less often should take action themselves.
DISTINGUISHING THE FLU FROM COLDS
Is it possible to determine with the naked eye what exactly a child has been infected with?
– The symptoms of the flu and other acute respiratory viral infections are similar. It is very difficult to distinguish them on your own, without a doctor,” says the head of the otorhinolaryngology department of the Federal Scientific Center for Physics and Chemistry named after him. Yu. M. Lopukhina FMBA of Russia, Associate Professor of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Pediatrics, Russian National Research Medical University named after NI Pirogov, Candidate of Medical Sciences Konstantin Baranov. “But, of course, there are signs that suggest a child has a cold.” First of all, ARVI in children usually appears with an elevated body temperature, often above 38 °C. Secondly, the younger the child, the more severe the symptoms of infection poisoning. Thirdly, fever is combined with catarrhal symptoms. The most common are: runny nose (congestion and runny nose), cough, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes.
INCREASE IMMUNITY WITH MASSAGES AND MORE
Unfortunately, any socialization involves the possibility of becoming infected. But it is definitely not necessary to hide your child under a hood: the danger of contracting an infection is high not only in kindergarten and at school. Your child may contract a viral infection during a trip to the supermarket, club, sports section, swimming pool, music school or cafeteria. You can’t know whether healthy or sick children were working out at the gym before your child arrived, or whether people traveling with you on the same bus or subway car are contagious or not.
The solution for parents is to control their children’s immunity.
“Prevention of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections in children includes, first of all, compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules,” says Konstantin Baranov. This includes washing hands, wearing masks, etc. In this context, it is worth highlighting the importance of immunoprophylaxis and the use of drugs that improve the body’s antiviral defenses. There are special medications adapted to the characteristics of children’s immunity. These drugs include, for example, Anaferon for children. These drugs support the natural defense mechanisms of the child’s body, combining antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. There are studies that have shown that by taking preventive measures, children are less likely to contract ARVI.
“Let’s not forget the general strengthening measures: massages, hardening, sanitation of chronic sources of infection in the mouth and nasopharynx, physiotherapy,” the expert emphasizes. – A rational daily routine and a balanced diet are important.
A balanced diet is the right combination of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. You should definitely not allow a child with a weakened immune system to eat fast food and sweets. Also in spring, on the recommendation of a doctor, you can take vitamins and vitamin complexes.
SPORTS AND SEA
The stability of immunity changes over time: it can weaken if the child is often sick or experiences stress.
“The risk group for ARVI includes children attending preschool institutions or schools, especially in the first and second year from the beginning, children who are often sick,” clarifies Konstantin Baranov. – In the treatment of ARVI, patients in the post-vaccination period, children with allergies or chronic pathologies, including diseases of the ENT organs, require special attention.
Weakened immunity can and should be strengthened. To achieve this, there is a whole range of measures that we discussed previously. This also includes sports and holidays at sea. The best sport for a child should be decided based on her preferences and the doctor’s recommendations.
