How to protect the child from winter ailments

With the arrival of the first cold weather, colds, typical of this season, also peep out. And children are the most affected. Also thanks to the school, which leads them to spend a lot of time in close contact with other peers, dramatically increasing the chances of contagion.

These are mostly colds, such as colds. But in the cold months gastroenteritis, flu, bronchitis or even pneumonia are also frequent which, in severe cases, can induce the pediatrician to send the child to the emergency room.

Colds and flu: how to distinguish them?

During the winter, the temperature drops and the immune system is likely to drop in turn. Air strokes, temperature changes between the inside of a heated place and the outside risk putting a strain on the health, especially of the little ones.

With the cold, in fact, some mechanisms that our body uses to defend us from external pathogens are slowed down.

But that’s not all. Under normal conditions, the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are covered with a thin layer of mucus, which is intended to protect the epithelium and limit the access of viruses or bacteria. The epithelial cells of the respiratory mucosa also have on their surface the so-called “cilia”, which are able to push mucus and microorganisms or particles trapped in it from the inside to the outside of the nasal cavities. In the cold, however, the eyelashes slow down their movement. As a result, the barrier effect against viruses or bacteria decreases.

Among the most common cold diseases, there is certainly the cold. It is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by different types of viruses, which are transmitted through contact with the tiny drops of saliva that we emit with the breath. There are more than 100 pathogens that can cause this disease, but among them the most famous are undoubtedly rhinoviruses.

Its symptoms include:

– sore throat

– nasal congestion

– rhinorrhea (runny nose)

– headache

– cough.

Fever and joint pain, on the other hand, appear only rarely; In some cases, conjunctivitis may also occur.

It affects both adults and children; Those under the age of six are at greater risk of infection.

Among the forms of drug treatment, not always necessary, there are anti-inflammatory drugs and nasal decongestants, which relieve symptoms.

It is not a dangerous disease and tends to heal in about a week or ten days. If, however, the symptoms persist even after this period, then it is a good idea to consult your doctor, to make sure that there are no complications caused by bacterial superinfections, such as sinusitis, otitis or bronchitis.

Influenza is also caused by viruses and even in this case, the contagion occurs by air or by contact with surfaces on which the viral particles emitted with the breath of an infected person have deposited.

Among the most effective forms of prevention, both for colds and flu, there is in fact personal hygiene: the authorities that deal with public health suggest washing your hands often and not bringing them to the eyes or mouth without being sure that they are clean.

The flu is manifested by:

– high fever

– bone pain

– headache

– nausea and loss of appetite

-fatigue.

To distinguish the flu from a simple cold, it must be taken into account that in the first case the symptoms are more intense. In addition, the alarm bell should be triggered if your children have a rise in body temperature and complain at the same time of both respiratory disorders (such as cough, cold or sore throat) and so-called systemic symptoms, such as widespread muscle pain, fatigue or headaches.

A few elements, therefore, are enough to hypothesize a correct diagnosis. But, in case of doubt, it is always better to contact your doctor.

In younger children, the flu virus can cause complications such as:

– pneumonia, when the inflammation spreads to the lower respiratory tract, i.e. the lungs

– otitis, if inflammation affects the ears

– sinusitis, a complication involving the nasal sinuses, cavities that start from the nose and branch off towards the cheekbones and eye sockets

The best treatment against the flu is rest, but also in this case a therapy based on:

– antipyretics to lower fever

– anti-inflammatories to counteract the inflammatory process

– decongestants to relieve symptoms.

What to make children eat in the winter months

Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining good health. And for children it is even more important, because their organism is in full development.During the winter months, but not only, it is a good rule to eat abundant quantities of fruit, which represent an important reservoir of vitamins, minerals and other important components. In particular, thumbs up for citrus and kiwi, rich in vitamin C.

It is also important to guarantee children the right amount of proteins, vitamins, iron, calcium and mineral salts, pillar of the Mediterranean diet, legumes abound in all these elements and are therefore the most suitable to face the rigors of winter in a healthy way.

Then we move on to vegetables, such as fennel, artichokes, pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli: typical of the winter season, they are rich in vitamin B, mineral salts and fiber. They are perfect as side dishes and can also be offered as a single dish in delicious dishes to be prepared in the oven au gratin with cheese and Parmesan. Given the large amount of vitamin C they contain, they are particularly suitable for strengthening the body of children, and not only.

How to strengthen children’s immune defenses

Certain foods can make a difference to help protect your children’s immune system from winter illnesses and beyond.

A leading role is certainly played by vitamin C, contained in:

-Oranges

-kiwi

– dark leafy vegetables such as cabbage

-tomatoes

-Peppers

The first research to establish whether vitamin C had a role in preventing colds dates back to 1940. Over the years, however, the results have been mixed. Recently, a study showed that daily intake of this vitamin helps children recover faster from colds and reduce the severity of symptoms.

The reason? On the one hand, vitamin C is an antioxidant. It acts on immune system cells during infections, protecting them from damage by substances such as free radicals. On the other hand, this molecule is present in large quantities within white blood cells: its action is to stimulate the function of these cells, which act to protect the body from the attack of viruses and bacteria.

Vitamin D: sun-kissed

Speaking of vitamins, recently science is also interested in vitamin D. Produced by the skin when we expose ourselves to the sun, this vitamin has shown an action to support the immune response.

Vitamin D would seem to stimulate the production of antimicrobial substances within our body: some research is focusing on its role in the defense against influenza viruses.

How to make a child recover faster from winter diseases?

Particular substances present in certain foods can help the child recover from a winter illness sooner.

Let’s go back to talking about vitamins, and in particular vitamin C: it is now established by several clinical studies that this molecule is able to help the immune system of children get rid of disorders such as colds or some colds faster.

In recent years, attention has also grown towards zinc, which has been shown to play a role in the normal functioning of the immune system.