Here are some common symptoms to watch out for, as well as prevention and treatment tips.
Blog summary:
Young children are more susceptible to a wide variety of diseases because of their immature and weak immune systems. Seasonal sickness is the most frequent disease that affects kids. It is only normal for you to worry about your child’s sore throat, fever, cold, or flu as a parent.
The majority of school absences among children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are caused by seasonal sicknesses such as common colds. Here are some typical signs to look out for, along with advice on how to prevent and cure them.
Seasonal sickness and symptoms
There are hundreds of seasonal viruses waiting to knock your youngster out with cough, fever, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
Although most infections subside in seven to ten days, call your kid’s paediatrician if your child has:
- Extreme difficulty breathing
- An ear pain
- 103° F or higher fever that lasts for more than 72 hours
- Dehydration symptoms such a dry mouth, a lack of tears, low energy, and issues urinating
- A chronic cough
- Vomit, either on its own or upon coughing
- Tonsils or sinuses that are swollen
- Significant swallowing challenges
- If a sore throat lasts more than two days
- A rash
- Loose, smelly or frequent motions
Prevention of seasonal sickness
You can prevent the transmission of viruses and learn about steps you can take to protect yourself and others from the flu by reading the advice provided below.
- When your child is ill, keep their distance from other people to prevent spreading the illness to them.
- Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It could shield people close to you from illness. The major way that flu viruses transmit is by droplets produced when sick people cough, sneeze, or talk.
- Regular hand washing will aid in keeping you germ-free. Use an alcohol-based hand massage in the absence of soap and water.
- Do not let your child touch their lips, nose, or eyes. When a person touches anything infected with germs and then contacts his or her eyes, nose, or mouth, the germs might be transferred.
- Adopt more healthy behaviours. When someone is unwell, especially, clean and disinfect regularly touched surfaces at home, work, and/or school. Make sure your child gets enough of rest, engage in physical activity, control your stress, hydrate well, and consume wholesome foods.
Home Remedies for sickness
The following natural therapies can be used at home to treat seasonal viral symptoms, though, if you become ill with them.
- Ginger: It’s an antibacterial and an anti-inflammatory. Ginger is effective for treating nausea and vomiting in addition to colds and the flu. Adding a bit of ginger in warm water can help keep the flu away.
- Honey: Honey is septic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. Children younger than one year old should not be given honey.
- Lemon: Lemon’s strong vitamin C content may help reduce phlegm production and the intensity of the cold and flu virus in the body. Lemons are widely used to speed healing and increase immunity to the common cold and flu.
Cod liver oil: Its high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids makes it perfect for lowering inflammation, and its naturally occurring quantities of vitamins A and D support immune system function. - Warm liquids: These can help your child feel better and strengthen her immune system. Homemade broth, hot lemon water, and herbal teas are just a few examples. Congestion and sinus issues respond well to ginger. Coughing and congestion are lessened when homemade cinnamon tea is brewed with one tablespoon of cinnamon and one teaspoon of honey.
- Steaming: When the sinuses are congested, extra mucus cannot drain properly, which can result in bacterial growth, oedema, and stuffiness. A warm steam using a safe baby steamer can more effectively battle infections and allergies, rinsing nasal passages with filtered water will help clear out extra mucus, pollutants, and germs.
Instructions to give a day care/caregiver
Owners and employees of child care centres are crucial in preventing infections and illnesses in children and reducing their effects. Giving your child care centre advice on how to take care of your child can also help to develop its infection control programme and help the staff members do the following:
- Stop infections before they start and spread
- Determine and manage disease outbreaks
- Recognize when to call the appropriate authorities regarding a disease or outbreak
- Informing parents about a disease or outbreak
When must you notify your child’s day care that he or she is sick, and needs to be sent home? To prevent disease from spreading further, be aware of the following symptoms and pick up your child from day care / school.
- Fever: A child has a fever if their temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Until they have been fever-free for twenty-four hours, the youngster should stay at home.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea: When a kid exhibits any of these symptoms, it is wise to send them home. The child should stay at home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours, just like with fevers.
- Coughing: A child should be sent home if they cough nonstop for an extended amount of time.
- Pink eye: A child may have pink eye if they have red, swollen eyes that are watery and may have discharge with a yellow tint. They ought to be sent home since the sickness is easily contagious.
- Sore throat: If you observe or become aware of a child’s sore, red throat, you should send them home.
- Chills or sweating: If a youngster has the chills or is excessively perspiring in cool conditions, they should be returned home.
- Rash: Children who have a rash should be sent home. Contagious rashes are possible.
- Runny nose: A runny nose with green to yellowish discharge is a sign of sickness. The child needs to be taken home.
- Itchy scalp: Children who scratch their heads excessively or whine about itching on their scalp should be sent home and tested for head lice.
Additional things to remember
Learn what contingency measures your child’s school, day care centre, and/or college have in place in the event of a flu epidemic or other sickness, as well as if flu shots are provided on-site.
Ensure that the school, day care centre, and/or college where your child attends regularly clean commonly handled items and surfaces and that there is a sufficient supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes available.
Inquire about the absence policy for sick students and staff, how sick students and employees are kept apart from other students and staff, and who will look after them until they can go home.
