How to reduce infections in a child?

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
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    Improperly balanced meals, environmental pollution, or a fast pace of life - all this causes it frequent infections in the child they keep their parents awake at night. We think that we should pay most attention to what we eat. And rightly so - because we should. However, we forget that humans cannot survive without air. Its quality also has a huge impact on our health.

    Frequent infections in children and allergies are a popular topic on many parenting forums. Wanting to help the youngest, we are looking for answers to the questions: what to use for infections in children, and what effect allergies have on the incidence of illnesses. During this search, the issue of indoor air quality cannot be omitted. Especially if we are wondering what could help with frequent upper respiratory tract infections in children.

    Common infections in a child: Why?

    Many parents ask themselves about frequent infections, especially frequent ones upper respiratory tract infections in a child. We wonder what their causes are and whether they can be remedied somehow?

    Children's immune systems, unlike adults, are not yet fully developed. A toddler whose body is constantly developing may be more exposed to allergens, bacteria and viruses in the environment.

    Frequent infections in children and allergies – these are issues that reduce the quality of life of children. A sick child does not want to do everyday activities, which results in a deterioration of well-being. Allergies, however, may cause infections in children to return with greater intensity, causing chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract or weakening the child's body - which in itself favors the development of infections.

    Parents cannot protect their children from all the risks associated with... bad air quality. However, you can try to minimize the risk of exposure to pollutants or allergens in closed rooms, e.g. by using an air purifier with a humidification function.

    What about infections in a child?

    Sickness season forces parents to take action to help young bodies reduce illness. What about infections in a child? Here are some important tips that each of us should remember.

    • Good hand hygiene: Washing your hands frequently - preferably with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds - is the basis of hygiene. This is a rule that every parent should pass on to their child - from an early age. Remember that if you do not have access to water and soap, you can use hand sanitizers or wet wipes.
    • General hygiene rules: Let's talk to children about the basics - washing your hands before meals, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with your elbow, and avoiding touching your face with dirty hands. Regular disinfection of toys will also be useful - especially in the case of younger children.
    • Avoiding contact with sick people:

    Expert advises

    Especially during the period of increased morbidity, it is worth being careful in contacts with sick people or those showing the first symptoms of the disease. If possible, avoid direct contact or try to keep a safe distance.

    Jolanta Wacławek
    Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child
    • Vaccinations: Disease prevention is one of the key answers to the question about infections in children. Let's make sure that our child has up-to-date vaccinations.
    • Balanced diet and good sleep: Healthy eating, adequate sleep, and maintaining physical activity are a set that can support your child's immune system.
    • Regular check-ups with a doctor and periodic examinations: It is worth checking your health periodically - not only when you notice disturbing symptoms or when your child reports them, but also as a preventive measure.
    • Ventilation and care for good indoor air quality:
      In the rooms where we stay with our family, good air quality should be ensured, i.e. air free from pollutants, with appropriate humidity and temperature.

    When we struggle with problems such as: frequent infections in children and allergies, and when we cannot cope with frequent infections in children, we look for answers to the question on the Internet forum: what about upper respiratory tract infections in children?

    In this case, purchasing an air purifier with a humidification function may be a good idea.

    What to do for upper respiratory tract infections in children: advantages of air purifiers with humidification function

    The period of increased illness is the time when it is really worth considering using it air purifiers with humidification function. Are you wondering what to do about frequent infections in your child, or maybe you are asking on the forum: how to reduce their occurrence by using an air purifier with an air humidification function?

    For a child who struggles with allergies or is prone to frequent infections, the operation of such a device may bring a number of benefits. Below we list some of them:

    Reduction of air pollution and allergens

    As the name suggests - the main function and at the same time a huge advantage of the air purifier is... its cleaning. The device helps effectively remove allergens present in the air, including dust mites, pollen, bacteria, viruses and even animal hair. This definitely improves the comfort of functioning of small (and also slightly older) allergy sufferers.

    In addition, the purifier device, using special filters, can reduce other pollutants, including capturing formaldehyde. This function has been positively reviewed by IMiD experts: Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde PH04.

    Breathing clean air at home has long-term benefits: reduced susceptibility to infections and reduced risk of respiratory irritation.

    Appropriate level of air humidity in the room

    Air humidification is a very attractive feature included with some air purifiers. It allows you to easily maintain room humidity – either at a user-selected level or using automatic mode, which automatically adjusts the humidity level to the optimal level for your home's conditions.

    Properly humidified air benefits both the respiratory tract and the skin - not only for children, but also for their parents.

    Positive effect on sleep quality

    The bedroom is a place of rest. To ensure the quality of your sleep, it is not enough to go to bed at a specific time. You should also ensure that the temperature in the room is low enough and… air quality.

    Thanks to a purifier with a humidification function, we can be sure that the air in the bedroom will not only be clean, but also humidified. Improving air quality will ultimately pay off better quality sleep. And for children, this will positively impact their development and immunity. In night mode, the device monitors and purifies the air using the quietest settings with a dimmed display, thus not disturbing family members' sleep.

    Reducing the risk of infection during illness

    Viruses and bacteria present in the air increase the risk of a child developing an upper respiratory tract infection. Especially during the period of increased disease incidence for flu or cold. We can remedy this by purifying the air of viruses and bacteria present in it using an air purifier.

    During the sick period, the air purifier will not only humidify all rooms in the house, but will also help remove 99,95% of particles as small as 0,1 micrometers, including bacteria and viruses.

    Increased ability to concentrate 

    The period of increased susceptibility to infections usually coincides with the time when children return to school, i.e. when not only immunity to disease is needed, but also better concentration.

    Expert advises

    There is a positive effect of regularly cleansed air on increasing the ability to concentrate, which may be particularly important when a student needs to concentrate on learning.

    Jolanta Wacławek
    Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

    Conscious choices mean better health... and life

    Taking care of a child's good quality of life is every parent's priority. Let's pay attention to our everyday behavior, lifestyle and choices. Not all changes for the better require a great revolution.

    Sometimes one decision, e.g. purchasing an air purifier with a humidification function, can have a positive impact quality of our lives, which will translate into increased immunity - and thus help reduce queries such as: what about upper respiratory tract infections in children?

     

    Author

    Jolanta Wacławek
    Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

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