With the opening of school days away, parents are concerned about common infectious diseases in schools. Colds and flu infections, which increase in the fall, can easily spread among children due to close contact. Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist Uzm. Dr. Melike Hande Tanal, Pediatrician, pointed out that infections spread mostly when children put their hands and dirty objects into their mouths and said, “Children should be taught to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and to use tissues when they sneeze. The environment should be ventilated frequently and playgrounds where the risk of infection is high should be avoided.”
Children get infections more frequently, especially in the first year of kindergarten or school. Stating that the immune system of the child develops over time and the frequency of infection gradually decreases, Medicana Ataşehir Hospital Pediatrics Department Specialist. Dr. Melike Hande Tanal stated that children should definitely undergo a general doctor's check before school: “If the child has recurrent diseases, it is important that they are examined, treated and followed up. Vaccinations also protect children from contracting diseases and serious symptoms. If a child is missing a vaccine, it must be completed. Children in the risk group, such as those with asthma, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes, should be vaccinated against seasonal flu.”
Establish a follow-up program for nutrition routine
Stating that the most important condition to protect against diseases and prevent transmission is to follow hygiene rules, Uzm. Dr. M. Hande Tanal said, “Children should be taught to use tissues when sneezing to prevent the spread of infections. Infections are mostly spread by children putting their hands and dirty materials in their mouths. For this reason, children should be taught to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after eating and when leaving the toilet.”
Emphasizing that it is important for nursery and school-age children to consume foods containing carbohydrates, energy, fat and protein regularly for a healthy development, Uzm. Dr. Tanal said, “It is important to create a follow-up program for the nutrition routine of school-age children and consult a specialist. In this period, balanced foods in terms of protein, carbohydrate and fat, as well as vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables should be preferred. In addition, regular vitamin supplements, fish oil and products that support the immune system can be included in the nutrition program of children if deemed necessary under expert control.”
Probiotic foods like yogurt boost immunity
Uzm. Dr. Tanal listed the foods that can strengthen children's defenses against infections as follows: “These foods can be categorized into four main groups: meat, vegetables and fruits, grains and healthy fats. However, it is important that these foods are obtained from natural sources. Children should be kept away from junk food and similar packaged processed foods. Foods containing probiotics such as yogurt, which strengthen the immune system, should be consumed. The level of iron in the blood should be checked and supported if necessary. Iron-rich foods should be consumed in a balanced way with other foods. Vitamin D deficiency also reduces immunity. In order to get vitamin D, children should definitely spend time outdoors in sunny weather and take supplements if necessary. Excessive food consumption and being above normal weight also weaken the immune system in children. Excess fat intake increases the amount of oxidant substances and weakens the defense system. For this reason, in order to prevent our children from gaining excess weight, we should pay attention to a balanced diet and direct them to sports activities.”
Children should not be dressed in too thin or too thick clothes
Underlining that not sending sick children to school is important both for children to rest at home and to prevent the spread of the virus, Uzm. Dr. M. Hande Tanal emphasized that the ambient temperature in the classroom and other living spaces should be between 22-24 degrees and the classrooms should be ventilated frequently. Uzm. Dr. Tanal also warned, “Crowded environments should be avoided, especially children's playgrounds where the risk of disease transmission is very high.”
Uzm. Dr. Tanal stated that instead of dressing children in very thin or very thick clothes in the autumn-winter period, a layered clothing style consisting of thin layers should be preferred.
School-age children should sleep for 10-11 hours
“Insufficient or irregular sleep causes the immune system to weaken and the body to become prone to diseases,” said Specialist. Dr. Tanal said, “Healthy sleep is critical for children's physical growth, neurological and behavioral development, tissue regeneration and strengthening of immune function. The school period is a period when positive health behaviors and healthy sleep habits develop. Most children in this period should sleep for 10-11 hours.”
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