Ways to prevent your child from catching cold or flu

Common cold is a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. When a child’s body encounters the viruses for the first time, their immune system may not be able to kill the virus quickly. However, the immune system gets smarter and faster in killing the infection next time.

This is why researchers have found that having lots of sniffles early in life may protect your kids later on. In any case, it is best to teach your child certain strategies to prevent getting infected, especially when it is widespread, such as during winters.

Here are some anticold strategies that can strengthen your child’s immunity as well as prevent catching infection-causing viruses.

This is a habit that you should teach your child from early on, especially to be practiced when they come home from outside or before they eat anything. It is important to note that simply washing hands with water is not enough. Your kid should use soap along with water and wash their hands for at least 30 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also equally effective, according to health experts.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that kids who use a hand sanitizer regularly have 50 percent fewer absences from school, compared to those who don't.

Kids can easily spread and catch germs in places like classrooms, playgrounds and daycares. Teach your child to avoid sharing a seat with a friend or classmate who is having a cold. Wearing a mask can also help them to prevent catching infection. If your child does get infected, doctors recommend to avoid sending them to school, until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours.

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If your child has a strong immune system, then they will be able to hold a great defense against any type of illness. There are several ways in which you can help boost your child’s immune system. One such tool is sleep. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep at night, ranging from 8 and 10 hours.

Eating a well-rounded diet can also keep your child’s immunity at top. Include healthy and nutritious foods in their daily diet. Some of these include almonds, berries, yogurt, broccoli, spinach, and sweet potatoes. If your child eats non-vegetarian food, then salmon and eggs are also great for boosting their immune system.

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Make sure your child gets at least an hour of physical activity every day. Make sure your child does not spend all their time sitting at home, even if they are studying. Exercise has multiple health benefits, including increasing the number of natural killer cells to fight infection. A great way to encourage them is to exercise regularly yourself, and set a healthy example for your child to look up to.