Winter is a peak season for respiratory infections in children, and many children have frequent experiences of visiting the hospital. Such children are called "frequently ill children." How can children who catch colds repeatedly get through the winter?
Because a child's age is related to their body's resistance, the diagnostic criteria for recurrent respiratory infections vary by age group. For example, children aged 0-2 years can be diagnosed with this condition if they have 7 upper respiratory tract infections and 3 lower respiratory tract infections (including bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia) per year; children aged 3-5 years can be diagnosed with 6 upper respiratory tract infections and 2 lower respiratory tract infections per year; and children aged 6-12 years can be diagnosed with 5 upper respiratory tract infections and 2 lower respiratory tract infections per year.
There are many causes of recurrent respiratory infections in children, including both internal and external factors. Common internal factors include low serum immunoglobulin levels, malnutrition, a history of asthma, and insufficient or deficient vitamin A levels. External factors include the mother's poor health during pregnancy, the presence of family members with chronic respiratory infections, and passive smoking.
To help these children get through the winter smoothly, home care is particularly important. First, the living room should be sunny and well-ventilated to ensure fresh air. The room temperature should ideally be kept between 22°C and 27°C, with a relative humidity of about 40%. Pay attention to adding or removing clothing in a timely manner according to seasonal and temperature changes. Second, breastfeeding should be maintained during the winter, and weaning should not be done in winter. For frequently ill children, weaning can be delayed until after one and a half years old. Third, complementary foods should be added in a timely manner to prevent vitamin A deficiency in frequently ill children, which can also reduce their chances of getting sick. Fourth, it is important to actively improve the immune function of frequently ill children. This can include starting cold-hardening exercises in late summer and early autumn, such as cold air baths. It can also include receiving relevant vaccinations before the influenza season begins.