Winter diseases in children

What are the winter diseases?

If the number of winter illnesses is rather high, we find a fairly recurrent range in children. We think in particular of gastroenteritis, which will cause vomiting and diarrhea. Nasopharyngitis, colds and bronchiolitis are also very common winter pathologies. The flu also infects a large number of children every year. Add to this the arrival of Covid-19 since the year 2020, which has a tendency to be transmitted more quickly in winter.

Winter illnesses: protecting your child from the cold

Viruses, largely responsible for ENT infections, spread much more easily at low temperatures. This is no reason not to go out. But there are a few rules of conduct that must be observed.

• THEhypothermia very quickly watches for children, especially those who move little or who are in a stroller. Prolonged exposure to the cold is therefore not recommended, especially with a young child.
• Children find it hard to realize the temperature, they can just as easily stay for an eternity dressed as if to take the ski lift in an overheated living room, or go out in socks to welcome Grandma in 0 ° C. Scarf, hat are therefore de rigueur at the slightest draft.
• Sweater, under-sweater, do not hesitate to dress warmly (head, hands and feet included) with several layers of clothing. And above all, suggest that they change if their clothes are wet.

Adopt impeccable hygiene against contagious diseases

Gastro, ENT infections, bronchitis … given their strong contagious power, hygiene is certainly the best defense. Touch is the main vector of transmission. Also it is necessary wash your hands as often as possible. And systematically after taking public transport or going to a public place. Just like when you have a cold, sneeze, cough, or blow your nose. In the same way, do wash your hands to the little ones. They carry the same pathogenic germs, generally touch and taste everything around them with great pleasure! Blow your nose regularly each time using a new disposable handkerchief.

Likewise, blow the nose of children with the slightest runny nose. If necessary, use physiological serum or sea water. It is very important to evacuate all secretions and to clear the air voices as often as possible. At last exercise ! Even walking stimulates the general condition, eliminates toxins and stress. In addition, physical exercise helps in the self-cleaning of the airways. The ideal is to practice physical activity 30 to 40 minutes three times a week.

Rest first to avoid contagious seasonal diseases

Change of season, fatigue after entering nursery, kindergarten, first grade… so many reasons to have a drop in energy at the onset of winter! An exhausted body is much more receptive to cold snaps and defends itself less well against aggression.

• Respect the sleep of the little ones, and follow their rhythm both for naps and in the evening. Entering winter is not the best time to try to “wedge them” or to “skip a nap”.
• Living in a community, nursery or school requires a real effort from them. You can make them catch up on late sleep with naps for example, even for older children. And try to keep them restful sleep by respecting bedtime.
• And you, rest and relax. Fight stress and respect a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night, with a regular sleep rhythm.

Give yourself a little help

This is valid for the whole family: supply is one of the effective preventive remedies. Without disrupting your eating habits, try to eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day, and put fish on your menu twice a week.

If you swear by homeopathy, you will also find many possibilities. Ask your doctor for advice; he will tell you which preventive measures are best suited to you and your children.

There are several ways to help boost natural defenses. Vitamin treatment, immunostimulant treatment, probiotics… To find the one that suits your child, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

How to avoid winter childhood illnesses? Our grandmother’s tips.

Along with the conventional methods seen above, there are grandma’s remedies to limit winter illnesses. If your baby has colic, you can give him a drink fennel infusion because it has properties promoting the expulsion of gases. If your child has a cold, you can prepare a onion ring in a bowl in order to decongest it (be careful, however, this remedy is not recommended for children with asthma and allergies). The Orange Blossom can also be used to promote sleep. For coughs, you can try to drink garlic syrup to your child or else to make him a hot poultice of linseed.

Clean up the house to avoid contagious diseases

In winter it’s cold, so we tend to take refuge in our well-sealed house. Viruses are thrilled! However, a few simple but effective actions are enough to reduce the risks.

• Frequently ventilate each of your rooms, at a minimum ten minutes every day.
• Do not overheat, and even less the rooms (18 to 20 ° C maximum). Dry air attacks the mucous membranes of the airways and makes them more sensitive to infectious agents. If necessary, use humidifiers.
• Stop smoking is one of the best ways to protect yourself from infections, because tobacco irritates and weakens the respiratory system. And do not expose your little ones to passive smoking: we know that the children of smokers are more often victims of ENT infections than those living in a non-smoking environment.