Ways to Protect Children from Infections

With the arrival of winter, infections, especially those that spread among children in schools, can be reduced through preventive measures taken by both schools and parents. Currently, the main culprits include Influenza, COVID-19, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, RSV viruses, and the Streptococcus (beta) bacteria. Anadolu Medical Center Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Ayşe Sokullu stated, “The best precaution for children who have contracted any infectious disease is for them to rest at home and avoid going to school to prevent spreading the infection to other children.” Dr. Ayşe Sokullu shared ways to protect children from infections…

As long as our children are with us, it’s much easier to take precautions against infections. However, it becomes more challenging in schools, where large groups gather and intervention is limited. In particular, children of preschool age, who have not yet developed a strong sense of personal hygiene, can easily spread illnesses to one another.

Among the common viruses in schools and nurseries, Parainfluenza targets areas near the vocal cords, often leading to a cough that resembles a dog’s bark. Influenza (seasonal flu) can bring high fever, intense muscle aches, and fatigue. Rhinovirus mainly affects the nasal area, causing symptoms such as headaches, nasal congestion, and coughing. COVID-19 may also present with flu-like symptoms.

Additionally, respiratory-transmitted infections such as measles, rubella, infectious mononucleosis (often called the “kissing disease”), parvovirus (fifth disease), and chickenpox can cause rashes on various parts of the body. Secondary infections like pneumonia can also follow measles and chickenpox.

In viral infections that affect the gastrointestinal system, symptoms may include watery stools, fluid loss, fever, and vomiting. In bacterial intestinal infections, stools may be thicker, with blood or mucus present. Fever and vomiting are similar in both cases.

Importance of Hygiene

Children’s eating habits, behaviors when they are sick, and the preventive measures taken beforehand are essential. Even though parents cannot see their children while they’re at school, they should remain vigilant. At home, personal hygiene practices should be established and demonstrated. Handwashing is the most critical step in preventing infections. Simply seeing parents wash their hands often can be an effective lesson for children. Since it’s challenging to get children to talk about their day at school, indirect questions can help assess the hygiene conditions there. Instead of asking, “Do you wash your hands?” you might try questions like, “Does the soap at school smell nice?” or “What’s the name of the person who cleans your classroom?” This way, you can learn more about the conditions at school regarding hygiene.

Sick Children Should Rest at Home

In crowded schools, where access to toilets and water may be limited, the risk of infection is higher, as infections primarily spread through hand contact. Flu viruses, for instance, can survive for nearly 24 hours on items children touch at school, such as plastic or wooden surfaces. Viruses spread mainly through droplets; when a child coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets containing the virus remain airborne, making it easier for others to inhale them in crowded settings. Regular ventilation of classrooms is as crucial as maintaining hand and environmental cleanliness.

The best precaution for children who contract any infectious disease is to rest at home and avoid going to school to prevent spreading it to others. During the winter months, when illnesses increase, it’s also important that children avoid kissing or hugging sick friends and refrain from using their materials. Upper respiratory infections can usually be managed without medication within a week through rest, fluid intake, and nutritional support. However, if parents have difficulty managing their child’s fever or feeding, if there is vomiting, or if there is a history of seizures in the family, home care can be challenging. In such cases, it’s best to seek treatment in a well-equipped healthcare facility.

Overprotecting Children Can Be a Mistake

Children’s susceptibility to infection-causing microorganisms can vary depending on parental attitudes. Overprotective behavior, such as preventing children from playing in parks, streets, or gardens, keeps them from being exposed to natural microorganisms. This can lead to a weaker response to these microorganisms, resulting in more severe infections. When children grow up in a sterile environment without exposure to microorganisms, they may be unprepared when they start school. Second-born children often fall ill less frequently once they start school because they were previously exposed to illnesses their older siblings brought home. This exposure helps them develop immunity to diseases they’ll later encounter in school. However, first-born children, who are exposed to a large group for the first time in preschool or elementary school, tend to encounter infections more frequently.

Antibiotics Are Not Needed for Every Infection

Exercise is extremely important for strengthening the immune system against infections, as with everything else. Allowing children to go outside daily and engage in regular movement, even if it's just a half-hour walk, and encouraging participation in sports activities, if possible, will have positive effects on both their immune system and their social and psychological development.

In children, viruses are the main cause of upper respiratory tract infections. For viral infections, staying hydrated, resting by reducing activity, and maintaining a regular diet are key parts of treatment. Antibiotics have no place in treating viruses. The recent experience with the COVID pandemic has shown that even viral infections that cause fevers as high as 40°C can be managed without medication.

However, infections caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, commonly known as "Beta," which is one of the most frequent bacterial upper respiratory tract infections in children, must be treated with antibiotics.

If a child’s immune system is weak, bacterial agents may be added to the viral infections, potentially leading to conditions such as sinusitis, middle ear infections, pneumonia, and bronchitis. This occurs due to the potential of opportunistic microorganisms to easily cause infection. In such cases, antibiotic treatment may be necessary.

When a child contracts a viral infection, the immune system fights against the virus. Some children recover within 1-2 days, while others may take up to 10 days. However, there are no scientific studies showing that children who recover quickly have stronger immune systems, or that slower recovery indicates weaker immunity. Every child, particularly those under 5-6 years old, has a likelihood of experiencing fever or infection at least once. But in children who frequently have tonsillitis, recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia, recurrent diarrhea, osteomyelitis (bone infections), deep tissue abscesses, or meningitis, it raises the question: "Could there be a weakness in the immune system?" In such cases, and particularly in children who are developmentally behind their peers, tests to evaluate the immune system may be required.

Nutrition Recommendations for Infection Prevention

To strengthen the immune system in school-aged children:

• Start the day with breakfast, including a small amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Suitable options include eggs, yogurt with fruit, cereal mixtures, or homemade fruit cakes. Sweetening breakfast can also be essential for daily calorie intake, so options like molasses and honey can be added to the menu.
• Especially in winter, foods rich in fiber, such as pears, vitamin C-rich citrus fruits, and at least one type of leafy greens (like spinach, chard, broccoli, or parsley-based dishes) should be consumed.
• Choose at least one dairy product, like cheese, milk, or yogurt. For children who are not allergic to cow’s milk, one glass of milk a day can be provided. However, milk or yogurt should not be consumed alongside iron-rich foods, as it may reduce the iron content's effectiveness.
• Select cereals or grain-based mixtures without added sugar.
• Add beneficial herbs like mint to dishes.
• Avoid prepackaged foods and sweets (and prevent children from watching junk food advertisements).
• Supplement with vitamin D under a doctor’s supervision during the winter months.
• Omega-3-rich foods like fish should be eaten twice a week. However, it’s not necessary to take Omega-3 supplements throughout the winter. Supplements such as fish oil or Omega-3 can be used during special periods, stressful situations like exams, or when there is a dietary deficiency.
• Dried fruits and nuts should be consumed as part of the diet.