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As the seasons shift, so do the common ailments that affect our families. The arrival of fall often ushers in a wave of sniffles, coughs, fevers, and restless nights. In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the colder months bring seasonal allergies, the flu, strep throat, colds, RSV, and more. Many parents find themselves turning to social media for quick, unprofessional medical advice.
It’s a tricky balance. We want to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor for every sniffle while ensuring our children remain healthy and contagion-free. What should you do if your child returns from school or sports practice feeling under the weather? I spoke with Dr. Emily Carter, a pediatrician based in Miami and the author of the insightful parenting book Positive Parenting for Happy, Healthy Kids, to gather some guidance for this sick season.
Understanding Symptoms
Dr. Carter explains that distinguishing between minor ailments—like allergies—and more serious conditions like the flu or COVID can be challenging. If your child exhibits symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of taste or smell, isolating them and consulting a doctor is essential. In today’s world, getting tested for COVID is a must. Even with a negative result, it’s wise to keep your child at home until they fully recover.
While we’ve all become familiar with the symptoms of COVID-19, many overlap with other illnesses. Dr. Carter notes that allergies typically manifest as head-related symptoms, leading to itching and sneezing, while children usually feel relatively well otherwise. However, if your child experiences difficulty breathing, persistent pain, fever lasting more than four to five days, an inability to retain fluids, or shows lethargy, medical attention is necessary.
Trusting your instincts is crucial, and we must avoid exposing others until we determine the nature of our child’s illness. My own family faced this situation earlier this season when my children developed sore throats and runny noses. After visiting the doctor, we were relieved to find they tested positive for rhinovirus and not COVID, but they still missed a week of school.
Preparing Your Sick Kit
With the onset of cold and flu season, Dr. Carter suggests preparing a home ‘sick kit’ filled with essential items. Her recommendations include:
- Fever reducers
- Pain relievers
- Nasal saline
- A suction bulb for infants
- Oral hydration solutions like Pedialyte
- A thermometer
- Chicken soup
- Ginger tea
- Dark honey
- Lemon
Stocking up on these supplies in advance can save you the stress of last-minute shopping when your child is unwell, especially during a time of product shortages.
Proactive Lifestyle Choices
Beyond having a sick kit, it’s important to adopt proactive lifestyle choices. Dr. Carter emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet, staying hydrated, regular exercise, spending time outdoors, managing stress, and tending to both physical and mental health needs. These foundational health practices should not be overlooked as we navigate the colder months.
Routine check-ups are another key aspect of preventive health. Many individuals, myself included, have been reminded by healthcare professionals of the importance of keeping up with regular exams and screenings—like mammograms—especially after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Dr. Carter confirms that many children fell behind on routine vaccinations and health visits during this time. If your child hasn’t had a check-up this year, now is the perfect time to schedule one.
Navigating Family Gatherings
As the holiday season approaches, navigating family gatherings can be daunting, especially with cold and flu season compounded by the pandemic. Dr. Carter advises staying home if you’re feeling ill and encourages everyone to do the same. She stresses the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, ensuring that routine immunizations are current. If you decide to host larger gatherings, consider outdoor settings and maintain good ventilation indoors to minimize risks.
Conclusion
As we brace ourselves for another winter, there are steps parents can take to ensure their kids remain as healthy as possible. When illness does strike, rely on your home sick kit, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor, and keep sick children at home to prevent the spread of germs.
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