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Child’s Health in Monsoon (Parenting)

Monsoons in Goa, has finally arrived with a bang. While that may be a relief, what’s not is the fact that along with the rain clouds, the monsoon shall bring its share of woes. Health problems, especially child’s health in monsoon or rainy season are always on the rise, be it cold and flu, viral fever etc.

The common cold and influenza are viral infections usually caused by viruses that intrude into the nose, throat, sinuses, or ears. The pathogens travels either from hand to mouth and nose. Or it may through the droplets carrying infected secretions from one person to another. Catching colds can actually be beneficial. It continues to train the immune system to be well tuned and capable of identifying and dealing with viruses. It is important to recognize this and respect the body’s own ability to remove viruses and heal.

heal fever

If your child gets sick and gets over it within a couple of days this is usually a sign of a strong immune system. This is even if your child experiences more intense symptoms such as a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. It shows that your child’s defences are strong and the immune system is working in a timely and efficient manner. On the other hand, if your child gets sick often, takes a long time to get over it, or experiencing a low grade cold or flu, with rare spikes, it may be a sign of a weaker immune system. You can do a lot to support your child’s immune system to help minimize the frequency & duration of colds and flu.

Things to Do : Care for Child’s Health in Monsoon

  • Hand washing is the simplest and one of the most effective ways to keep from getting colds or giving them to others.
  • Be sure they are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and good quality
  • Avoid over medication: Avoid overusing antibiotics unless necessary- compromise gut health, our gut makes up 70% of our immune system.
  • Let low fevers run their course: A fever is the body’s way of fighting infection. Bacteria and viruses are picky about the types of temperatures they want to live in. Some short term benefits of fever: enables antimicrobial enzymes, decreases microbe reproduction, increases inflammation response. Some long term benefits of fever: hygiene hypothesis: if kids are exposed young –> less sick/ more resistant when older because cells have seen it before and develop necessary defences and tools to deal with it- dirt makes you grow.
  • Ensure adequate elimination: drink lots of water, make sure your child is having regular bowel movements and good digestion to help the body metabolize and eliminate unwanted toxins and pathogens.
heal fever

Typical Signs of Illness : Child’s Health in Monsoon

This is going to be different for every child- each child responds to illness in their own way. Often it can start with a shift in their personality. When parents say that their child isn’t acting as themselves- that is usually a sign of illness of imbalance. Physical signs such as a runny nose, mild cough or tummy ache can reveal that illness is coming on. Other signs such as fatigue, changes in sleep, mood and behaviour patterns, lack of motivation or desire to do the things the child usually loves to do, and change in appetite can all be the first signs of illness.

What should parents have at hand to respond to the first signs of illness?

Nutrient dense soups or veggie juices- veggie or chicken broth really works wonders (the minerals, vitamins and antioxidants in veggies are so important to help the body’s defences).

  • Temporarily avoid dairy: most kids love it, so this is a toughie for some. Dairy is mucus forming and adds to dampness in the body. It can have pro-inflammatory effects, so at the first sign of illness a good idea is to temporarily avoid all dairy in your child’s diet.
  • Garlic and Onions: some of nature’s most powerful antimicrobial. Can use them in soups if children don’t like the taste. Also can make raw onion poultices to help draw out infection- amazing for ear infections!
  • Vitamin C- acts as a potent natural antihistamine, antiviral and antioxidant. Helps balance the way the body reacts to microbes, helps break up mucus and dry up mucus membranes.
  • Steam Inhalation- at onset of congestion, daily until resolution. Place boiling water in a bowl, place your head over the bowl and cover head& bowl with a towel. Inhale steam for up to 10 minutes or to tolerance level. This treatment helps to drain congestion from the head and chest.

When should a parent take their child to the doctor?

  • If the child isn’t improving within 24-48 hours of using a natural approach.
  • When to refer a fever: If toxic symptoms, if the child is under 3 weeks old, if it lasts more than 24-48 hrs or if fever over 102.2 seek immediate care.
  • The child is listless, delirious, in shock or not acting at all like themselves.
  • You are unsure whether or not it is a serious condition or not.
  • The child is coughing up blood.
  • Notice signs of dehydration are present
  • If your child is experiencing chest pain with a cough.
  • If vomiting or diarrhea does not resolve.

Vitanova Clinics Goa provides Homeopathy treatment in Goa to children suffering from such allergies, respiratory illness and common virus induced flu.