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Against the background of the epidemic of coronavirus infection, they no longer think about the usual SARS. But other viruses still continue to attack people, and they also need to be protected from. Regardless of the type of virus, it is the immune system that resists it. The disease is easier to prevent than to treat the consequences.
ARVI is the most common human infection: children under 5 years of age suffer from about 6-8 episodes of the disease per year; in preschool institutions, the incidence is especially high in the first and second years of attendance (1).
Most often, SARS develops in children with reduced immunity, weakened by other diseases. Poor nutrition, disturbed sleep, lack of sun also negatively affect the body.
Since viruses spread mainly through the air and through objects, children quickly become infected from each other in a group. Therefore, periodically part of the group or class sit at home and get sick, only the strongest children remain, whose immune systems have withstood the blow. Isolation of viruses by patients is maximum on the third day after infection, but the child remains slightly infectious for up to two weeks.
The infection remains active for several hours on various surfaces and toys. Often there is a secondary infection: only a child who has been ill a week later again falls ill with the same. To prevent this from happening, parents need to learn a few rules and explain them to their children.
Memo to parents on the prevention of SARS in children
Parents can provide children with good nutrition, hardening, sports development. But they will not be able to track every step of the child in the team: on the playground, in kindergarten. It is important to explain to the child what SARS is and why it is impossible, for example, to sneeze directly in the face of a neighbor (2).
We have collected all the tips for preventing SARS in children in a memo for parents. This will help reduce the number of sick children and protect your child.
Full rest
Even the body of an adult is undermined by constant activity. If after school the child goes to circles, then goes to school and goes to bed late, his body will not have time to recover. This disrupts sleep and reduces immunity.
The child needs to leave time for rest, a quiet walk, reading books, good sleep for at least 8 hours.
Sports activities
In addition to rest, the child must exercise. This not only helps the skeleton and muscles develop properly, but also makes the body more resilient.
Choose a load depending on the age and preferences of the child. Swimming is suitable for someone, and someone will love team games and wrestling. For starters, you can try to do exercises every morning. So that the child does not rest, set an example for him, show that charging is not a boring duty, but a useful pastime.
Hardening
It is very difficult to figure out how to dress a child, especially if the weather is changeable. Freezing reduces immunity, but constant overheating and “greenhouse” conditions do not allow the body to get used to real weather and temperature.
All children have different sensitivity to heat, pay attention to the behavior of the baby. If he tries to rip off his clothes, even if you are sure that everything was calculated correctly, the child may be too hot.
Hardening can begin even in infancy. At room temperature in a draft-free room, leave children without clothes for a short time, pour water over the legs, cool it to 20 ° C. Then put on warm socks. Older children can take a contrast shower, walk barefoot in warm weather.
Hygiene rules
As trite as this advice may sound, hand washing with soap really solves the problem of many diseases. For the prevention of SARS in children, you need to wash your hands after the street, the bathroom, before eating.
If a child or one of the family members is already sick, separate dishes and towels should be allocated for him so as not to transmit the virus to everyone.
Airing and cleaning
Viruses are not very stable in the environment, but they are dangerous for several hours. Therefore, in the rooms you need to regularly do wet cleaning and ventilate the premises. Disinfectants can be used by adding them to the wash water. However, it is not recommended to strive for complete sterility, this only harms the immune system.
Rules of Conduct
Children massively infect each other often out of ignorance. They sneeze and cough at each other without trying to cover their faces with their hands. Explain why this rule should be observed: it is not only impolite, but also dangerous for other people. If someone is already sick and sneezing, it is better not to get too close to him, so as not to get infected.
Give your child a pack of disposable handkerchiefs so they can change them often. Also, do not constantly touch your face with your hands.
Leave the child at home
If the child is ill, it is worth leaving him at home, even if the symptoms are still mild. Perhaps he has a strong immune system and easily tolerates the virus. But, having come to the team, it will infect weaker children who will “fall down” for a couple of weeks.
If a seasonal SARS epidemic has begun in a garden or school, then if possible, you also need to stay at home. So the risk of infection is lower, and the epidemic will end faster.
Doctors’ advice on the prevention of SARS in children
The most important thing is to prevent the spread of infection. No matter how hardened a child is, if everyone around gets sick, his immunity will sooner or later also fail.
Therefore, at the first sign of SARS, isolate the child at home, do not bring him to the team. Call your doctor to rule out more serious conditions and avoid complications (3). A simple SARS can also lead to lung damage if not properly treated.
The best drugs against SARS in children
As a rule, the child’s body is able to cope with the infection without the use of any potent agents. But, firstly, all children are different, as are their immunities. And secondly, ARVI can give a complication. And here already rarely anyone does without an antibiotic. In order not to lead to this, doctors often prescribe certain drugs to help a fragile child’s body overcome a viral infection.
1. “Corilip NEO”
Metabolic agent developed by SCCH RAMS. The clear composition of the drug, which includes vitamin B2 and lipoic acid, will not alert even the most demanding parents. The tool is presented in the form of candles, so it is convenient for them to treat even a newborn. If the child is over a year old, then another drug will be needed – Korilip (without the prefix “NEO”).
The action of this remedy is based on the complex effect of vitamins and amino acids. Corilip NEO, as it were, forces the body to mobilize all its forces to fight the virus. At the same time, the manufacturer guarantees the absolute safety of the drug – which is why it can also be used for infants.
2. “Kagocel”
Known antiviral agent. Not everyone knows, but they can be treated not only for adults, but also for children from 3 years old. The drug will show its effectiveness even in advanced cases (from the 4th day of illness), which distinguishes it favorably from a number of other antiviral drugs. The manufacturer promises that it will become easier in the first 24-36 hours from the start of the intake. And the risks of getting sick with complications are halved.
3. “IRS-19”
Sounds like the name of a fighter plane. In fact, this is a fighter – the drug was created to destroy viruses. The medicine is available in the form of a nasal spray, can be used from 3 months, one bottle for the whole family.
“IRS-19” prevents viruses from multiplying in the baby’s body, destroys pathogens, enhances the production of antibodies and helps the body recover faster. Well, for starters, it will become easier to breathe in the first hour of use.
4. “Broncho-Munal P”
A version of the product of the same name, designed for the younger age category – from six months to 12 years. The packaging indicates that the drug helps fight both viruses and bacteria. In fact, this is a chance to avoid taking antibiotics. How it works: Bacterial lysates (fragments of bacterial cells) activate the cells of the immune system, causing it to produce interferons and antibodies. The instructions indicate that the course can be from 10 days until the symptoms disappear. How much time (and medication) will be needed in each case is unclear.
5. “Relenza”
Not the most classic antivirus format. This medicine is available in the form of a powder for inhalation. The drug is intended for the treatment of infections caused by influenza A and B.
It can be used for the whole family, with the exception of preschoolers: the age of up to 5 years is a contraindication. On the positive side, Relenza is used not only for treatment, but also as a preventive measure.
Popular questions and answers
At what age can SARS prevention be started?
What to do if the very prevention of SARS (hardening, dousing, etc.) constantly leads to a cold?
To prevent ARVI during the cold season in kindergartens and schools, is it better to sit out the epidemic at home?
Of paramount importance are preventive measures that prevent the spread of viruses: thorough hand washing, isolation of sick children, compliance with the ventilation regime.
Prevention of most viral infections today remains non-specific, since vaccines against all respiratory viruses are not yet available. It is impossible to get 100% immunity from a viral infection, since the virus has the ability to mutate and change.
Sources of
- Influenza and SARS in children / Shamsheva O.V., 2017
- Acute respiratory viral infections: etiology, diagnosis, modern view on treatment / Denisova A. R., Maksimov M. L., 2018
- Non-specific prevention of infections in childhood / Kunelskaya NL, Ivoilov AY, Kulagina MI, Pakina VR, Yanovsky VV, Machulin AI, 2016