It sounds no less than a challenge to keep the young ones fit through the winter season that’s yet to end. A running nose, a soar throat and a bad cough are common complaints among children during this time of the year. How to keep them fit for the school after the cool winter holidays? In a tête-à-tête with DNA, Dr Preethi Galagali, vice-president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in Bangalore and physician and consultant pediatrician at the Radha Ortho and Pediatric Centre, speaks about winter care
What are the common winter ailments that children suffer from?
During winter there is an increase in cases of viral diseases like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and Group A streptoccocal pharyngitis (sore throat), allergic rhinitis due to seasonal increase in pollen production by weeds and grass, asthma, dry skin and atopic dermatitis (eczema) among children. Low temperature is conducive to both the proliferation and spread of viruses as children and adults prefer to stay indoors in winters. Overcrowding and poor ventilation also aid the spread of viruses. In India, rotavirus causes diarrhoea both in the winter and summer seasons.
By what per cent do cold, cough and viral cases increase among children with the onset of winter?
On an average, there is an increase by around 15 to 20% in the number of viral fever and common cold cases.
What would you advise parents to do this season to keep their children safe from contacting respiratory tract ailments?
To protect against common viruses and bacteria affecting the respiratory tract, children should:
Avoid close contact with people who have fever, cough and cold
Avoid overcrowded places
Wash hands properly
Learn ‘cough etiquette’ – that is, turn their head while coughing and sneezing preferably into a tissue or a handkerchief or into the elbow (if they do not have a
tissue or handkerchief)
If you are sick, avoid school and consult a pediatrician.
Avoid self-medication.
Take flu vaccination, especially if they suffer from chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver diseases, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency and asthma requiring oral steroids.
To protect against asthma and seasonal allergies, children should:
Take anti-allergy medication according to pediatrician’s advice
Follow asthma management plan as outlined by their doctor, including the regular use of inhalers and oral medication if recommended
Seek medical help as early as possible in case of worsening of symptoms.
As always, even in the winter season, children should continue to follow a healthy lifestyle to boost their immunity. This includes intake of a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise and play for 60 minutes and sleep for nine hours every day.
Any special skin care advised for children during winters?
In winter, dry-skin conditions are exacerbated and so are eczemas. So it is important to keep the skin moisturised in this weather to avoid the ‘itch-scratch’ cycle that increases eczema. It is also preferable to use a pH neutral soap. Some children’s eczema increases with the use of woollen clothing. These children should wear cotton clothes under their woollen sweaters.
What is appropriate winter clothing for children?
As babies, especially premature ones and infants, are prone to hypothermia, they should be kept warm enough. An extra layer of clothing should be worn to whatever an adult would be comfortable wearing. As the head has a large surface area compared to the rest of the body, it should be appropriately covered with a cap. Full sleeves sweaters/shirts and pants should be worn in this season. Older children should be kept warm and comfortable so that they continue to play outdoors and exercise regularly in spite of the cold weather conditions.
Are infants especially prone to diseases in winter?
Babies and infants have a relatively immature immune system and hence are prone to contracting infectious diseases easily that can be severe and serious in a few cases. So they need extra care in terms of breast feeding, avoiding bottle feeding, hygienic nutrition, warm and comfortable clothing, completion of all routine vaccinations and timely medical intervention. The incidence of infections in those attending day-care centres is much more.
Children have morning schools during this season. Do you think it is advisable for the school authorities to reschedule classes during the day instead of early morning?
In a city like Bangalore, it is never so chilly in winter that it can cause discomfort to children attending early morning classes.
Also, most schools here start by 9 am to 9.30 am and not too early. However, this may be an issue in Delhi and other parts of northern India that are covered by dense fog during the mornings — and not just catching cold, there are safety issues related to driving too in such fog.
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