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By
Catherine M. Pruissen
There
seem to be two peak times when children wind up with
colds - at the beginning of the school year and after
the Christmas holidays. The reason? Its quite simple,
in fact. It is at these times that children are exposed
to new viruses. Most often it is other children, family
or friends that carry the virus and then pass it to
your youngsters.
During
the fall and winter seasons, children are more often
indoors rather then outdoors. Close confinement with
many others may increase your child's chance of picking
up the virus. Sneezing, coughing, and sharing kitchen
utencils, cups, bottles, or food are common ways viruses
spread amongst preschoolers.
In
Search of a Cure
Can
we prevent the common cold? Is there a cure? When
scientists and health care professionals were asked
these questions, they were generally in agreement
about two things.
- Colds
can be prevented; and
- there
is no known cure for the common cold.
Here
is a sample of common myths and facts about the common
cold.
Myth:
"If you take Vitamin C each day, you'll keep
colds away."
Fact:
Research has proven that the Vitamin C does not
prevent colds. However, some studies have shown that
Vitamin C may actually help people weather colds better.
When your child has a cold, oranges, grapefruits and
juices with Vitamin C added, may reduce the severity
and length of the cold. Drinking lots of water and
eating soups are good ideas, too.
Myth:
"If you have a cold, don't drink milk....it
causes mucus."
Fact:
While there is little evidence to support the
belief that milk causes mucus, we do know that viral
infections themselves often result in the production
of mucus. Besides mucus, other common cold symptoms
include tiredness, irritability and poor appetite.
To speed up recovery from a cold, it is important
to get your child's eating pattern back on track.
Choosing nutrient dense foods, like milk, is important
when kids don't want to eat or drink much. Your child
may find milk easier to swallow if it is heated (hot
chocolate) or added to other favorite foods like soups
and pudding.
Myth:
"If you go outside with wet hair, you'll
catch a cold.
Fact:
Colds are caused by viruses. There is no need
to restrict activities like swimming. Make sure children
dry their heads before going outside because they
can lose body heat, especially with cooler winter
temperatures.
Things
You Can do to Prevent a Cold
- Remind
children to wash their hands after they use the
toilet, before they prepare or eat food and after
they wipe their nose.
- Remind
children not to share food or drinks, cutlery, dishes,
bottles or cups.
- Protect
your child against secondhand smoke; This has been
shown to increase the risk for complications of
colds.
Things
You Can Do When Prevent Your Child Has A Cold
- Remind
children to cover their mouths when coughing or
sneezing and to wash their hands afterwards, especially
before rubbing their eyes.
- Encourage
children to use a tissue (instead of their sleeve).
Be sure the tissue goes in the garbage right away.
- Make
sure that your child is drinking lots of fluids.
Water is a must. Try serving 100% juice, milk or
soup.
- If
your child isn't hungry, try to serve energy-packed
foods like scrambled eggs, hot cereals, cream soups,
ice cream and homemade puddings. Try to get your
child's eating habits back on track as soon a possible.
More
serious infections can follow a cold. Call your Doctor
if your child has any of these signs:
- Persistent
or high fever
- Rash
- Fast
breathing or has trouble breathing
- A
cough that will not go away
- Excessive
crabbiness or more crying than usual
- Excessive
tiredness
- Ear
ache
Keep
your child at home if she or he is not well. Check
with your child care provider for details about when
to keep your child at home.
"Food Fair For Child Care", Winter 1996
Insert. B.C. Ministry of Health and Ministry
Responsible for Seniors
(See
Business Forms
in our Exclusive Products
section to order ready-to-use Administering
Medication and other valuable forms.)
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