The thermometers descend and arrive the most frequent diseases associated with winter They mainly affect the respiratory tract such as influenza, colds, bronchitis, pharyngitis and other more serious ones such as pneumonia.
Children are especially vulnerable to low temperatures, therefore they are more likely to get diseases, especially if they are in daily contact with other children. Their immune system is not yet mature like that of adults and they have less defensive capacity against external aggressions such as wind, cold and rain.
We cannot avoid the spread of diseases because it is something that is not in our hands, but we can try to reduce the chances of getting sick. Let's see some tips on how to prevent diseases in winter.
Why do children get sick more in winter?
It is related to cold with most respiratory diseases but in reality it is not the cold itself that is responsible for the children getting sick. Before explaining how to prevent winter illnesses in children it is interesting to know why there is an increased risk of getting sick at this time of year.
The cilia (small hairs) and the nasal mucous membranes, the natural defense system that we have in the nose, lose mobility with the cold, which prevents them from controlling the passage of microorganisms that therefore penetrate deeper into the body. Nor can they heat the air so that it reaches the lungs at the proper temperature.
It has also been found that certain viruses, such as influenza, are covered with a resistant layer that protects it during the cold what offers you the protection you need to move from person to person. Once the layer of melts in the respiratory tract enters the body causing the virus to infect the cells.
Other factors associated with the typical diseases of winter are household pollution, caused by lack of ventilation, staying in closed places in contact with other children, which facilitates infection with infected people, and sudden changes in temperature. Leaving the house abroad can lead to a jump of ten to twenty degrees on very cold days.
How to prevent diseases in children in winter
Some preventive measures They can help prevent children from getting diseases in winter, such as:
- Ventilate daily rooms, at least ten minutes a day
- Preferably use gas electric stoves.
- Avoid environments with cigarette smoke
- Avoid the sudden temperature changes
- Keep the warm house: Do not use butt heating, but allow the body to use its own cold adaptation regulatory mechanisms.
- Maintain the house with an adequate level of humidity, the dry environment aggravates respiratory diseases
- Avoid closed places too crowded
- Shelter fair: avoid overcoating in heated environments or lack of weatherproof shelter. Cover mouth and nose when going outside or in open spaces.
- If possible, keep child away from sick people
- Make the child wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, when entering home and if you have been in contact with other children
- Avoid sharing utensils with other children like glasses, plates, cutlery, towels and of course pacifiers.
- Include in the children's diet fruits and vegetables, especially foods rich in vitamin A and C.
- Another preventive measure is the flu vaccine. Recommendations on whether or not to vaccinate the child are: there is no need to vaccinate the healthy child, although you can get vaccinated against seasonal flu if your parents request it or your pediatrician considers it appropriate. Pediatricians recommend administering the vaccine to children older than 6 months (before 6 months cannot receive the vaccine) if they have chronic respiratory problems, congenital cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases.
Most common diseases in children in winter
Flu or influenza
The flu in children is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus It mainly affects the respiratory tract and is easily spread, with young children being the main transmitters of the virus.
It is one of the most frequent diseases and can suffer several times during the year. The symptoms are high fever (more than 38.5 degrees), headache, cough and mucus (initially dry cough and congestion that later evolves into productive cough), in some cases breathing beeps (wheezing), malaise, pain muscle and sometimes abdominal pain accompanied or not by vomiting. It is common in children that there is loss of appetite and irritability.
It requires a lot of care as it can get complicated and become a more serious disease such as pneumonia. It is often confused with a cold or cold, but unlike the flu, they do not have a fever or are very low.
Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is the inflammation of the pharynx caused by the infection of a virus or bacteria. It can be started after an infectious process such as the flu, cold or tonsillitis in which case it is called pharyngotonsillitis.
During the winter season pharyngitis of viral origin are more frequent, while those of the bacterial type tend to increase in the change of seasons, especially in the spring.
The most frequent are pharyngitis caused by the streptococcus bacteria, which cause rapid throat irritation and very acute pain accompanied by fever.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils produced by a virus or a bacterium. The infection may also be present in the throat and surrounding areas, causing inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis).
Redness and enlargement of the tonsils can be observed, sometimes accompanied by white spots and pain in the submaxillary nodes. There is difficulty eating, fever, burning or headache, sore throat, and sometimes loss of voice.
As in the case of pharyngitis, the most frequent bacterium that causes tonsillitis is streptococcus, although there are also viral ones.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is caused by the infection of viruses or bacteria that cause acute inflammation of the bronchi, which are the ducts that connect the trachea to the lungs. When the bronchial tubes become inflamed, breathing becomes difficult and the membranes that cover the airways produce large amounts of thick mucus that cause coughing, chest pain and congestion.
Bronchitis It can develop because of a poorly maintained fluTherefore, in order to avoid complications, it is very important that the child be adequately treated in case of presenting a flu picture.
It is a contagious disease that is transmitted through the droplets of saliva that a person expels when talking, coughing or sneezing, so avoiding being in contact with other people and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing is essential to prevent contagion
Pneumonia or pneumonia
Pneumonia is a particularly dangerous disease in infants and is characterized by inflammation of a segment of the lungs, usually of infectious origin. Most cases are caused by the infection of a virus, although in children under 6 months and older children it can be a bacterium, one of the most frequent, pneumococcus.
Sometimes it originates after a cold or flu. Among the most frequent symptoms of typical pneumonia We found a high fever, chills, cough with mucus and pain when breathing.
In the variant of atypical pneumonia there are less specific symptoms such as headache and discomfort, tiredness, muscle pain, dry and persistent cough or with expectoration. You may also have a fever without chills and chest pain that increases when you cough.
The main complication of pneumonia is respiratory distress, so always, before the slightest symptom, you should consult the pediatrician.
Otitis
Otitis is inflammation of the ears and manifests with very strong and unbearable pain that can be constant or intermittent, deaf, sharp and / or sharp.
It is classified in otitis externa when it involves the outer ear and ear canal and otitis media when it involves the middle ear, located just behind the eardrum. It is considered chronic otitis if it lasts more than three months.
There are many causes that can cause otitis, including infectious ones such as bacterial or fungal otitis, although there are also viral infections.
It is usual that before a picture of otitis, especially otitis media, there is a history of colds or pharyngitis.
Bronchiolitis
Finally, the star disease of winter, bronchiolitis. It is a disease caused by infection of the bronchioles caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV or RSV) that affects children under 2 years, especially those under 6 months.
Is a very contagious disease that affects the bronchioles, the last ramifications of the bronchial tubes, which measure just 2 mm in diameter, when infected, become inflamed and obstruct preventing the passage of air.
It begins as a cold runway, with or without a fever but a few days later there is a worsening at the respiratory level. There is a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and wheezing, increased respiratory rate, and if there is a fever, it is moderate.
Before the smallest symptom it is necessary to go to the pediatrician to confirm the diagnosis. In mild cases it can be controlled at home, while the most severe require hospitalization.
We have made a review of the most frequent diseases in winter among children and most importantly how to prevent them .
Photos | Ernst Vikne and glenmcbethlaw on Flickr In Babies and more | The effects of cold on children's health, How to prevent adverse effects of cold on health, Tips to protect children from the cold wave
