This year, the flu has intensified in all age groups, especially in those under 15, and has reached the level of epidemic in some autonomous communities.
In the cold season and most of them living in enclosed spaces with other children, the youngest are especially vulnerable to infection, so we recommend some tips to prevent the flu in children.
Clean your hands frequently
Hand washing is an indispensable health habit that we must instill in our children since they are young. Since hands are the main means by which many bacteria and viruses reach the body, keeping them clean is essential.
It is also important to teach them how to wash their hands, helping us first until they get into the habit and can do well by themselves correctly.
A good wash must last at least 60 secondsSoap should be used and should always be done before handling food, when entering the street, before eating, after using the bathroom, after blowing your nose, after playing with pets and after handling trash.
Other hygiene measures
Ventilate the rooms for 10 minutes every day.
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and always use disposable tissues. Do not reuse them and always throw them in the trash after use.
Avoid sharing pacifiers, glasses, dishes and any object that may have been in contact with saliva or nasal secretions. It is a complicated point, especially in nurseries and nursery schools, but it is important to implement basic hygiene measures to avoid contagion.
Avoid crowds or enclosed areas with poor ventilation such as shopping centers, restaurants, cinemas, etc. Nor do you have to become obsessed and stay locked at home all winter, just take certain precautions.
Prevent children from being exposed to tobacco smoke, both at home and in public places.
Healthy eating and exercise
Healthy foods help strengthen the child's immune system, preventing infections. Must be Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin A (cereals, vegetables, meats and dairy), E (olive oil, nuts, etc.) and C (mainly orange, tangerine, kiwi), although there are studies that confirm that vitamin C does not Cure or prevent colds.
A adequate hydration It is also important for the body's cells to function properly. The proportion of water in the body of children is higher than in adults, so they should always be well hydrated. The amount of daily water a child should drink is between 50-60 ml per kilo of weight, that is to say half a liter of water for a 10 kg baby, for example.
The exercise practice It helps to increase the natural defenses of children, protecting them against the threat of disease. For its part, it is recommended outdoor life since viruses are not usually found in clean, fresh air, preferring warm and closed places instead.
Flu vaccine, yes or no?
The most effective vaccine for children is breast milk. It acts as a protective shield against infections, in addition to being the best food. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended during the first six months and complement it with solid feeding until two years of the baby.
As soon as you vaccinate them or not against the flu, you should know that it is a vaccine not recommended for babies under 6 months and although the Spanish Association of Pediatrics considers that it should be included in all calendars for healthy children over that age, it is not included in the childhood vaccination calendar.
When recommending who should be vaccinated against influenza systematically, the Association's Vaccine Advisory Committee has identified certain risk groups in whom the vaccine reports great benefits.
