Do Some Children Get Sick More Often Than Others?
When parents count how many days their children have missed school during the year, the number can be quite disturbing.
From the time children are born until they are around 7 years old, it is normal for them to get sick quite often. This is because their immune system is still in a period of adaptation.
Instead of keeping track of how many times your children get sick, we should pay attention to what it reveals about their overall health.
Do some children get sick more often than others?
It is true that children can get sick quite often. If you count the number of days your kids miss school each year, you might think there’s a bigger problem in the way. You may also think that your children get sick more easily and more often than other children.
However, you should avoid jumping into these conclusions. Instead, evaluate different factors that have to do with the innate characteristics of children. First of all, average, healthy children will get sick at least 9 times a year, with some form of respiratory virus.
Now, if your child is already going to school, your child can get sick up to 12 or 13 times a year. The same is true if there is a smoker in the home.
As you can see, children are prone to getting sick quite often. However, all of this is considered normal, even for overall healthy children.
How to recognize a serious illness
As we mentioned above, healthy children between the ages of 1 and 7 can get sick 9 times a year. This is because their immune system is developing or they are being exposed to new pathogens.
So, how can parents know if their children are suffering from something more serious?
If your child has any of the following symptoms, in addition to common childhood illnesses, you should talk to a doctor:
- Constant diarrhea
- Constant fungus in the skin
- Growth problems
These symptoms may be an indication that your child has an inadequate defense.
The same is true if your child has flu-like symptoms that get worse and end up in pneumonia or meningitis. Also, if antibiotics do not have an effect on your child’s illness, you should look at the specific health issues that need to be discussed with a specialist.
The difference between allergic reactions and problems with immune deficiency
To determine if your child’s frequent illnesses are due to immune deficiency problems, there are some things you need to know.
It is important that you know if your child’s body, in truth, is unable to fight the virus. The same symptoms can simply be a result of allergies, so it is important that you know the difference.
Foods that help strengthen your child’s defenses so they do not get sick more often
A complete and balanced diet will have a positive effect on your children’s overall health. It will help them protect themselves from viruses, or at least recover from them faster.
If your children suffer from allergies, you need to be extra careful with possible restriction of dairy products, or other necessary care. It will help reduce the frequency of viral outbreaks.
Nutritionists recommend a daily intake of at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables. You should especially focus on citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and tangerines.
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which is important for our immune system.
You should also include nuts, cereals and legumes at least twice a week. Your children should also consume yogurt, honey and plenty of fluids so that they maintain their level of sugar. While an excessive intake of sugar can be harmful, it is important that your children’s diet includes than healthy amount.
So, are your children strong and energetic? Do they have a good appetite? Are they growing as they should?
If the answer to these questions is “yes” and there are no alarming changes in their health, then there is no need to worry. Remember that frequent illnesses are normal for children, at this stage of their development.
