The day after Thanksgiving, my little girl fell sick with high fever and bad cough. 'Tis the season of cold and flu ! It took us 3 days to break her fever, and after one week, she is still coughing, but less.
Many people think that exposure to cold weather will make you sick. Cold/flu are caused by virus not the weather. Children get sick more during winter season because we tend to stay indoor more and hence more contact with other sick children. Dry cold air can dry up our nasal mucosa allowing the viral droplet to stay longer and disperse further in the air.
Since attending day care, my daughter has been sick almost every few month, I think a lot of parents can relate to that. Younger children have a developing immune system, and they are at the age that they are busy exploring their environment, and constantly rubbing their eyes, picking their nose and putting fingers in their mouth. There are around 200 cold viruses out there, including influenza (flu) virus.
Cold or as we call it upper respiratory tract infection can be managed with hydration, rest, nasal saline drop suctions, cool mist vaporizer/humidifier will ease the inflamed nasal mucosa. Fever reducers can relief the fever, last but not least, lots of TLC.
Few things you can do to prevent this, teach your child to have a hand washing habit, ensure good balance diet and hydration. Yearly flu vaccine will protect your child from getting the influenza (flu).
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-flu.pdf
Happy Holidays !
