Every season comes with its ebbs and flows of joys and sorrows. The same applies to human health since disease onset is affected by climate patterns and transmission dynamics. This is precisely why we have specific diseases associated with each season.
For instance – sunstrokes and gastrointestinal infections are often called summer diseases. Similarly, stomach viruses and bacterial ear infections are often associated with the winter. As the fall approaches, the scare of all such diseases, including the classic flu, increases manifold.
After all, this season marks the transition period in which getting ill is quite common. However, this is not something to be taken casually. As the leaves change color and mark an upheaval of upcoming winters, it’s time for us to switch health strategies. In this article, we will discuss ways to prevent seasonal illnesses. Since children form the most vulnerable group, our focus will be on this demographic.
Seasonal Diseases Among a Major Scare
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its 2023-2024 report on the flu season. Between October 2023 and June 2024, over 35 million people have contracted the flu. This condition has single-handedly led to more than 15 million hospital visits and 25,000+ deaths.
Children, older adults, and immune-suppressed individuals continue to remain the highest-risk groups. As for other climate-sensitive diseases like meningitis, it was found that the majority (76%) cases were of children between the ages of two and nine.
The danger continues to lurk as the fall season speedily approaches. This means parents must be prepared with preventative measures as well as proper disease response.
How to Keep Children Safe
Like every year, 2024 will also have its share of numbers when it comes to seasonal diseases. Since we’re at the edge of a change of seasons, the most concerning seasonal disease is the flu. Here are ways parents can play a key role in keeping their children safe.
Proper Immunization
The CDC recommends everyone who is six months and older to get a flu shot annually. Proper immunization against seasonal diseases may be your child’s first line of defense against contagious germs.
If yours is a school-going child, this process can be safely done within the premises itself. Inquire about the availability of such services among the school nurses.
Often, family nurse practitioners work in schools and universities to make a difference in their community’s health. According to Wilkes University, these nurses receive specialized training to gain skills and knowledge that go beyond bedside diagnosis and treatment.
This means these nurses can participate in disease prevention, counseling, and health education. Trained through offline or online FNP programs, family nurses working in schools aim to improve health collaboratively for the community. Some may even organize vaccination drive-thrus for children who missed their in-school immunization opportunity.
Using evidence-based vaccinations, the nurse will also take the time to educate you as the parent on keeping your child safe. Moreover, family nurses’ area of purview extends beyond pediatrics. This means you may be able to gather knowledge on keeping yourself safe as well.
Nutrient-Rich Diet
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), climate-sensitive conditions like influenza mainly affect people with a suppressed immune response. Children with compromised immune systems are the most vulnerable groups, especially those who may have missed their vaccination.
The next line of defense against seasonal diseases is a nutrient-rich diet. The right nutrients can help your child’s body ward off viruses before they’re capable of triggering a disease. Let’s look at the most beneficial nutrients to consume during this time.
- Vitamin E – Good sources would be sunflower seeds and nuts.
- Zinc – Some top sources are fortified cereals, red meat, and oysters.
- Iron – Found in abundance in lean meats, nuts, and white beans
- Selenium – Seafood, dairy, and eggs have it in abundance.
- Protein – Poultry, nuts, and beans are good sources.
- Vitamin C – Can be found in citrus fruits, broccoli, and capsicum
- Probiotics – Top sources include kimchi, kefir, and yogurt.
- Antioxidants – Let your child consume more pecans, berries, and dark chocolate.
- Prebiotics – Top sources are onions, garlic, and leeks.
Good Hygiene
Just because your child is vaccinated does not mean they are barred from practicing good hygiene habits. The former is the first line of defense but safety only gets reinforced when good hygiene becomes a priority.
Teach your children the importance of washing their hands regularly. For instance – they must wash hands before a meal and immediately after returning from a public place. Instruct them to not touch or hold onto surfaces that see a lot of hand traffic daily.
In case water may not be available in a certain place, give them a hand sanitizer instead. Just ensure you avoid purchasing the product of any brand listed as avoidable by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These may do more harm than good.
Keep home surfaces disinfected frequently to preserve the health of all family members, including children. Another way to prevent the onset of flu is to maintain good air quality inside your home. Let the fresh air in through open doors and windows.
Install air-purifying plants like Peace Lily, Snake Plant, and Spider Plant. You can also use aromatic essential oil diffusers to keep the indoor air clean.
Respiratory Etiquette
It can be possible for someone in the family to contract the flu. There is still room to protect your child from the flu and other contagious seasonal illnesses. This can be done by practicing good respiratory etiquette.
For instance – put physical distance between the sick person and the child. Instruct the latter to avoid close contact. The sick person should cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing. Check with the child’s school whether any student with the flu is being allowed to attend.
As a final word, the journey of a lifetime begins with the first step. The thing about seasonal diseases is that they are cyclic in nature. This means the tips shared in this article will continue to apply in the case of children universally year after year.
As you diligently strategize your child’s safety against the changing climate, don’t forget your health. The same tips can work for parents. Let’s get to the other side of the flu season safer, stronger, and more informed than ever.
