The cold has definitely arrived and with it the most frequent respiratory diseases in children such as constipated, colds, flu, bronchiolitis or more serious such as pneumonia.
It is clear that we cannot prevent the spread of these diseases, especially when the child is in daily contact with other children, but what is in our hands is the possibility of reducing the risk of getting sick.
Bronchiolitis, caused by respiratory syncytial virus, is at this time the most frequent reason for hospitalization in children under two years of age, while parainfluenza virus infections are responsible for most of the laryngitis in children under five years and adenovirus of up to 10 percent of respiratory infections in the smallest.
But, What can we do to increase our children's defenses against respiratory viruses?
Good nutrition is key to preventing diseases. Good, does not mean much, but varied. Therefore, pulmonologists recommend increasing the rations of vegetables and fruits in the diet of children in winter, especially citrus rich in vitamins A and C such as orange and tangerine. However, some studies have shown that vitamin C does not actually cure or prevent colds.
It is also important that children wash their hands frequently and do so “consciously”, that is, on both sides of the hand and for at least one minute. Before eating and every time they go home they should wash their hands. With special care on influenza A in most houses there are antiseptic gels, it is not enough that every so often they take a droplet.
As far as possible, we should avoid the common use of toys and especially that they do not share utensils such as glasses, plates and cutlery or feed each other, something quite common in children. Of course, all these utensils must be washed thoroughly.
The cold that is lately forces to have the heating to butt, but this dries the environment and the airways. It is recommended to keep the house warm but not as if it were the fault to allow the body to use its own regulatory mechanisms for cold adaptation. And to counteract environmental dryness we can use a humidifier in the baby's room.
To the extent that we can, it is preferable to avoid enclosures closed and very crowded and sudden changes in temperature, as well as ventilate the rooms a few minutes every day.
