When the weather changes season, many children experience symptoms such as runny nose, cough, fever or digestive disorders. This situation often recurs, causing parents to think that the cause is weather.
According to Dr. Sumit Chakravarty, Deputy Director of Pediatrics & Neonatal Department, Head of NICU at Asian Hospital (India), weather does not directly cause disease. Changes in temperature and humidity only make the child's body, which has an incomplete immune system, difficult to adapt and more easily attacked by pathogens.
Weak immune system
The immune system of young children is still in the process of completion. When temperature, humidity or air quality suddenly change, the child's body needs time to adapt. Compared to adults, children react slower to these fluctuations, so they are easily attacked by viruses.
Parents need to ensure that children get enough sleep, eat balanced meals and get fully vaccinated according to age to strengthen resistance.
Viruses and bacteria are more active
Cool weather creates favorable conditions for flu viruses and respiratory diseases to spread. The rainy season with high humidity also promotes the development of bacteria and mold. Children going to school, often in close contact with friends, are more susceptible to cross-infection.
Teach children to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouths when coughing, and let children take a break from school when there are signs of the disease to limit spread.
Sudden temperature exposure
Constantly moving between air-conditioned rooms, fans or heaters and the outside environment causes irritation of children's sensitive respiratory tracts. Dry air also makes the mucous membrane of the nose and throat easily damaged, causing dry cough or colds.
Dress children in many layers of thin clothes, easy to adjust to temperature, avoid changing the environment too suddenly.
Increased allergens
Seasonal transitions often come with increased pollen, dust, mold and air pollution. These factors can cause sneezing, wheezing, and even trigger asthma attacks. Many parents confuse allergic symptoms with common colds.
Keep the house ventilated, clean regularly, limit dust and talk to your doctor if you suspect a child has an allergic constitution.
Dehydration and dietary changes
When it's cold, children often feel less thirsty, so they drink less water. Along with that, seasonal festivals make children consume more processed and low-nutrition foods. These two factors both reduce immunity.
Maintain a habit of drinking enough water and prioritize nutritious family meals all year round.
Proactively prevent instead of waiting for the disease to occur
According to Dr. Sumit Chakravarty, weather changes do not directly cause disease but increase the risk in children with poor resistance or unreasonable living habits.
Parents should let children sleep enough, eat enough nutrients, maintain hygiene and dress appropriately with the temperature to limit the risk of disease during the transitional season.
