(VitalNews.org) – Every winter we see a huge increase in colds and sicknesses like Influenza and other respiratory illnesses that can spread quickly, especially among children and the elderly.
Laura Santos, MD, associate division director of pediatric critical care at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital spoke out to give parents some tips on how to keep their children healthy this sick season.
It’s important, first off, to stay up to date with your and your kid’s Influenza vaccines. In fact, Influenza can be seen even as late as May, with the peak season for influenza being in February. It’s also important to consider getting an Influenza vaccine to protect those around you who may not be able to get the influenza vaccine yet due to their age.
There are a lot of similarities between COVID, the Flu, and RSV, among other respiratory illnesses, but there are a few things you should keep in mind when looking into your symptoms to figure out which sickness you may have.
For example, flu symptoms may be more intense and they will start more suddenly. They include other symptoms that may not be seen elsewhere like muscle and body aches. Checking with your physician or a pediatrician can get you a definite answer on what you’re dealing with by giving you a Flu test.
RSV is a semi-mild illness when it comes to symptoms and it can present differently based on age. For example, for children under 2 years old these symptoms can present much worse and even cause more serious problems and effects for them.
COVID-19 can present with similar side effects and symptoms as the others. You can test for COVID-19 by using at-home tests which are safe to use on children as well. It’s important to keep your child at home to recover from the illness if they become sick with one.
There are a lot of good remedies that you can use while you keep your kids at home, without having to take them to the doctor. Make sure that your child is hydrated and eating as much as they can, and that they are taking cold medication. You can add an air humidifier into their room at night if they seem to be bothered by sniffles or coughing in the middle of the night.
If the symptoms become worse or you notice that your child is not going to the bathroom, urinating, or able to keep anything down, then you should consult a pediatrician. Encouraging your child to rest as much as possible is essential to them feeling better.
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