All moms (new, seasoned, and those in-between) are well aware that winter illnesses in our children is par for the course. But is there anything we can do as parents to help make the chilly season easier on our kids (and us)?
Dr. Amy McCollum of Midtown Pediatrics, Children’s of Alabama is with Birmingham Mom Collective today to share her expert advice to keep our kids safe and healthy during the winter!
Prevalent Illnesses This Winter
This winter, the most prevalent illnesses are respiratory illnesses such as influenza (the flu), RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19, as well as other common respiratory illnesses such as rhinovirus (common cold virus) and adenovirus (fever, sore throat, red eyes).
Strep throat seems to be on the rise right now as well, and the CDC recently released an advisory about a surge in cases for ages five to fifteen.
Young infants are susceptible to the gastrointestinal virus called rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea and dehydration and spreads in wintertime. Thankfully your baby should have good protection from this one if they receive their scheduled vaccines before six months of age.
The above-listed illnesses are spread through either oral secretions or through coughing, so they spread easily when our children and families are indoors together in close quarters (i.e. in the winter when it’s cold outside).
Send Your Kids Outside!
It is definitely okay for children to be outside in colder temperatures as long as they are dressed appropriately for the weather. On cold rainy or snowy days, children need layers and warm coats, water-proof clothing to stay dry, hats, gloves, and warm socks along with waterproof shoes.
If kids are prepared with the right clothing, absolutely encourage your children to get outside. It is great for them to play outdoors, socialize, get exercise, sunshine, and get off the screens!
After being outside, their noses may run, and they may cough a bit from the cold air. But this is not the same as actually getting ill from a virus or respiratory infection. Family members may blame an illness on being outside, but usually our kids were exposed to a virus a few days prior, and this was the true cause of the illness.
Know the Signs and Symptoms of Common Illnesses
Respiratory illnesses may present with cough, congestion, runny nose, fever, and a change in eating or breathing patterns. Many children will also wake up fussy in the night.
In younger infants, you can also look for signs of not taking bottles or fluids well, not eating well, less activity, and fever.
It is important to watch out for signs of:
- dehydration (decreased urine output, dry mouth, decreased activity) and
- respiratory distress (rapid breathing, wheezing, using extra muscles on abdomen, ribs, above collar bones, and breathlessness making speech difficult).
These are signs that your child needs immediate medical attention from a physician.
Best Preventative Measures to Keep Our Kids Well
The best prevention for illness in our children is just general common sense and good healthy living:
- Make sure your children get all their required vaccines for their age, as well as seasonal flu vaccines for six months and older, and the COVID-19 vaccine series (six months and older).
- Make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep:
- under five years: 12 hours per night,
- five to nine years: 11 hours per night,
- ten to fourteen years: 10 hours per night,
- fifteen to seventeen years: 9 hours per night,
- 18 years and older: 8 hours per night.
- Make sure your kids drink plenty of water. A good goal is 0.5 ounces of water per pound of your child’s weight and eat three to five servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day. (The serving size is approximately the size of your child’s balled fist).
- Work on getting your children daily physical activity where they move their body. In young children, just actively playing with siblings and/or peers is great.
- Teach your kids to cover their cough and blow their nose, and don’t send them to school with a fever or severe respiratory symptoms.
- Clear nasal secretions from younger children with saline and nasal bulb suctioning.
- Give extra fluids on top of their regular intake when they have a cold.
- Make sure they wash their hands before eating and after playing with friends.
- Try to keep them from touching their faces and eyes if possible after being with other children.
When to See a Doctor
If you see signs of respiratory distress or dehydration, take your child in to be seen as soon as possible. If your child is having mild respiratory symptoms or mild fever for one or two days, you can probably treat symptoms at home and see how they do.
Call your doctor’s office for guidance or to be seen if symptoms persist past five to seven days, if symptoms gradually worsen, or if your child develops ear pain.
Even if you just need reassurance, feel free to take your child in to the doctor. We, as pediatricians, are always glad for the chance to see your child, check in, and encourage/teach/educate!
When Illnesses Linger
Some illnesses have symptoms that can linger for weeks. Sometimes it’s difficult to know when your child is well enough to be around others.
Children can be around others after a respiratory virus:
- if they have been fever-free for 24 hours,
- when their cough and congestion are starting to improve,
- when they are eating and drinking better, and
- when their energy improves.
They can be around others again after a gastrointestinal virus if they have gone 24 hours without vomiting, and if their diarrhea is improving (less than three to four times per day and not leaking out of the diaper if returning to daycare).
It is always a good idea to inform friends and family if you have had a recent illness in your household. That way, they can make an informed decision regarding whether they want to get together now or wait until later.
We appreciate Dr. McCollum and her excellent advice to keep our families safe and healthy this winter!
