Winter wellness
From colds and bugs to general malaise, it’s the time of year when sickness can strike families. Arlene Harris outlines the main offenders and action points
Winter is well and truly here, and while many relish cosy evenings in front of the fire, the colder months also herald a return to seasonal bugs — and little ones in our lives can feel wretched when coughs, sneezes, tummy bugs and worse make their presence felt.
So we got some advice from experts on how to stay healthy in winter:
Flu vaccine
Dr Vida Hamilton, HSE national clinical advisor, says we should all get the flu vaccine — but also says that practising basic hygiene is the best way to keep germs at bay.
“You can’t get the flu from the flu vaccination, so first and foremost we recommend getting this done,” she says.
“It’s also very important to wash your hands frequently as viruses can live for many days on table tops and surfaces, so by washing your hands regularly you can protect yourself. People with colds and flu are infectious before symptoms begin to show, so hand-washing is vital.
“Help children by washing hands before eating and after the toilet. And if they are unwell, keep them at home to avoid spreading infection. Washing hands regularly with soap and water will also protect against the winter vomiting bug.”
Winter vomiting bug
Dr Fiona McGuire, senior medical officer for the HSE, says if your child gets the winter vomiting bug it can take one or two days before symptoms appear.
Then they may become unwell quite suddenly with projectile vomiting, watery diarrhoea and other symptoms like temperature over 38⁰C, stomach cramps, muscle aches and pains.
“The symptoms usually last for two to three days,” she says. “Most of the time your child can be minded at home. They will need plenty of rest and lots of drinks to prevent them becoming dehydrated, as they can lose a lot of fluid from vomiting or diarrhoea.
“If you are worried about your child’s drinking, talk to your pharmacist, they might recommend special fluids called oral rehydration solution. Don’t worry about food — they may not feel like eating.
“And if they have aches and pains, liquid paracetamol should help.” Asthma
According to the Asthma Society of Ireland, parents whose children have asthma need to be extremely vigilant in winter as it brings many triggers, such as plummeting temperatures, colds and flus and air pollution.
“Parents should schedule an asthma review with their GP to ensure their child’s Asthma Action Plan is up to date and is well managed and to establish if their child should receive the flu vaccine,” says Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society.
“It’s extremely important that children take their controller medication as prescribed and carry their reliever inhaler with them at all times in case of an emergency.
“If parents have any questions, call our free Asthma Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64.”
Cold
Dr Nuala O’Connor, GP and ICGP antibiotic resistance lead, says parents need to teach their children how to cough and sneeze without spreading germs.
“Viruses are spread through the air as tiny particles which you inhale if someone carrying the virus coughs or sneezes near you or if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your own face,” she says.
“So everyone should wash their hands regularly especially before preparing or eating food, avoid touching their hands to their face and cough (or sneeze) into your elbow or a tissue, bin it and wash your hands.”
Exercise
Dr Bernadette Carr, medical director of VHI, says is vital for the whole family to get enough sleep and adequate levels of exercise to help prevent colds and flu.
“Exercise will improve your overall fitness, boosting your immune system, and healthy levels of sleep will also contribute to better immunity before a bug or virus hits your system,” she advises.
“Encouraging children to enjoy some fun outdoor activity will help boost Vitamin D levels, but getting them to wrap up warm with a coat, hat, gloves is essential.
They don’t often notice the cold until they are practically shivering and this is one way they become more susceptible to catching any viruses.
“But sunlight boosts the level of vitamin D produced in the body and this vitamin plays an important part in improving the immune system as well as helping to maintain healthy bones.”
Supplements and alternative remedies
According to the HSE, there is no scientific evidence that giving your child garlic or vitamin C will help them to recover from a cold.
“Don’t use the herbal remedy Echinacea for children under the age of 12, as its safety has not been established,” warns a spokesperson. “But if your baby is under 12 months, make sure to give them their Vitamin D supplement.”
Seeking help
The HSE advises parents to seek advice if they are worried that their child is becoming dehydrated (doing less wees than usual, wee is dark in colour, child is drowsy, pale, cold hands and feet), has bloody poos, green vomit, if diarrhoea lasts longer than a week, if they are not keeping fluids down, have bad tummy pains, if temperature is not settling, and if they have any underlying medical problems.
Washing hands regularly with soap and water will protect against flu and against the winter vomiting bug