Child Health
Protecting and improving children’s health is very important. Children need to be provided with a stable environment to develop. This includes good health and nutrition, protection from the risk of lack of access to health services, and opportunities for learning and development.
Keeping children healthy through long-term health investments can be the most important thing a parent can do. Because seeing children grow and develop well is the happiest thing for parents. In order to realize this happiness, Pediaclic tries to be a place or a connecting facility.
How to Maintain Children’s Health
Here are ways that parents can do to maintain the health of their children:
Give Complete Immunizations for Children
Immunization is the best way to prevent the transmission of various diseases that can be dangerous in children. Therefore, see a pediatrician and make sure your little one gets all the immunizations he needs, including the flu vaccine.
Teach How to Wash Hands Correctly
Washing hands is also the most important way to prevent the spread of diseases that children can get from school or other public places. Your little one can be infected with bacteria or viruses that cause disease if he rubs his eyes or nose with hands that have been contaminated by these germs. Therefore, frequent hand washing can help prevent exposure to germs.
Teaching children how to wash their hands properly using water and soap is part of practicing general hygiene. Also remind children to wash their hands after blowing their nose, after using the bathroom, and before eating.
Help Children Have a Strong Immune System
Parents also need to take care of their children’s health so that their immune system can work well. Encourage children to do things that can boost their immunity, such as:
- Enough sleep.
- Implement a healthy diet.
- Encourage to be active and exercise
- Take time to play.
- Teach the importance of washing hands before and after activities.
- Some of the ways above are steps that parents can take to help reduce the risk of their children getting colds, flu, and other infections.
Many parents are interested in giving supplements or extra vitamins, such as vitamin C to their children. However, mothers are advised to always talk to their pediatrician before giving their children any supplements.
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend vitamin supplements for healthy children who eat a varied diet. The best way is to let children get their vitamins through food.
Teach Children Healthy Habits
Teaching children to do healthy habits is very important so that they can be protected from infection. Healthy habits that need to be taught to children include:
- Don’t touch your eyes before washing your hands.
- Do not share cutlery with friends.
- Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze.
- Tell parents when they feel unwell.
- These precautions are very effective in preventing the spread of most infectious diseases, including stomach ailments.
Encourage Children to Get Enough Sleep
Ensuring children get enough sleep is an important part of maintaining their health. In fact, research shows that sleep deprivation can affect children in a variety of ways.
Lack of sleep can lead to poor concentration, obesity, depression, suicidal ideation, and injury. Make sure the mother makes a sleep schedule for the child and get the child to sleep according to the schedule.
Give a Healthy Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important mealtime for school-age children. A balanced breakfast with protein and complex carbohydrates has been shown to be important for brain function and for maintaining stable energy levels throughout the day.
Children who regularly eat breakfast are more likely to consume the right amount of nutrients and consume less fat and total cholesterol. Likewise, the intake of iron, B vitamins, and vitamin D which can be obtained is 20-60 percent higher in children who do not skip breakfast.
Encourage Children to be Actively Move
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. Therefore, physical activity is an important part in maintaining the health of children. Public health experts recommend 60 minutes of physical activity daily for children.
Diseases Common to Children
There are several types of diseases that are commonly experienced by children, namely:
Have a cold
Flu is one of the most common illnesses experienced by children. Usually the cold medicine given to children is a type of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This medication is used to treat symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, or headaches.
Ear Infection
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children are more susceptible to ear infections than adults. Ear infections can be caused by bacterial or viral infections. Symptoms include earache, fever, irritability, trouble sleeping, and tugging at the ears.
Influenza
Influenza is a type of virus that spreads easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Influenza can cause a child to experience symptoms that include fever, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, and chills.
Most conditions can be treated at home by managing symptoms, giving medications, drinking water, and resting.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs when the airways in the lungs swell and produce mucus in the lungs. Most cases of bronchitis are caused by a virus which often follows an upper respiratory tract infection.
RSV
In most children and adults, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild cold-like symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, and sneezing.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is most common in infants and children under five years of age. Symptoms include skin rash, fever, mouth sores, and flu-like symptoms.
Conjunctivitis
There are several causes of conjunctivitis, can be from bacteria or viruses that enter the eye. Antibiotic ointment or eye drops are drugs that are usually given to treat eye pain.
Gastroenteritis
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Usually, symptoms go away within a few days and treatment includes rest and fluids to avoid dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs due to a buildup of fluid in the sinuses, which allows germs (bacteria and viruses) to grow. Most cases of sinusitis are caused by viruses. Symptoms include runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, pressure or pain in the face, post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat), sore throat, cough, and bad breath.
Sore throat
Strep throat is caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes that enter the nose and throat. It causes sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils, and abdominal pain.
