With winter on our doorstep, the change in season doesn’t only bring cold temperatures but also many illnesses, which children are more susceptible to during this time.
A pediatrician at Life Robinson Private Hospital, Dr Busi Ngcobo said children are more likely to fall ill during winter because their immune system isn’t as strong as that of an adult. Humidity also decreases in winter, which causes drying of the nasal passages and increases the risk of infections.
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“Children are more likely to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth without washing their hands which is the most common way infections spread. They also spend more time indoors, near others, allowing infections to spread easier.”
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Some child illnesses associated with the winter months include:
• Colds are caused by a virus that infects the nose, sinuses, throat, and airways and often spreads through contact with mucus.
Symptoms include a runny nose, congestion, coughing, sore throat, and possible fever.
• Influenza or flu is more serious than a cold. It’s caused by a virus that infects the lungs and airways and can be spread by direct contact, airborne droplets, cough, or sneeze.
Symptoms are sudden and include high fever, coughing, runny nose, fatigue, congestion, body aches, mild conjunctivitis, and vomiting or diarrhea. Flu vaccinations are available to help prevent this infection.
• Strep throat is caused by a contagious bacterium that can be treated with antibiotics.
The symptoms are sudden and include a sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, abdominal pain, and headaches. A rash can also develop in 12 to 48 hours (about two days) after the onset of symptoms which may lead to a diagnosis of Scarlet Fever.
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a respiratory virus that targets your lungs, especially the small airways in the lungs. Most children will have mild symptoms but other children may develop severe infections. RSV is very contagious and is spread by droplets and direct contact.
Symptoms include coughing, runny nose, fever, congestion, wheezing, rapid breathing, and apnoea in infants.
• Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by a virus or bacteria and can last two to three weeks. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics and symptoms include a cough with yellow or green mucus, chest pains, chills, high fever, and sometimes difficulty breathing.
• Croup is a viral infection and symptoms include a barking cough and hoarse voice.
“Winter is the peak season for certain viruses which normally don’t survive as well in the warmer seasons”, added Dr Ngcobo.
She added that should your child experience any of the symptoms linked to these illnesses, it’s best to consult with a medical practitioner.
There are several effective ways in which you can reduce your child’s risk of falling ill:
• Regular hand washing remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your children against illness. Remind them to wash or sanitize their hands correctly and regularly before and after eating, using the bathroom, coughing, and sneezing.
• Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow.
• Boosting their immune system by eating healthy.
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Vaccinations are an important component of protecting your child’s health so make sure you stay up to date with their vaccinations.
• Keeping your child at home when they are not well will assist in slowing down the spread of many winter illnesses.
