Consultation for parents “How to increase and strengthen a child’s immunity”

How to boost your child's immunity

The human body has several organs that protect health. They form an immune system that counteracts viruses, bacteria, and poisons. Special substances – antibodies – do this job. When a child's immune system is weakened, the following appear:

• drowsiness;
• frequent illnesses;
• weakness;
• fast fatiguability;
• dysbacteriosis;
• allergies.

In children, the development of immunity has features that depend on age:

• In the first month of a baby's life, it is transmitted from the mother. At an early stage, the main protection of a newborn is breast milk.
• Starting from the fourth month, there is a danger of intestinal infections, respiratory diseases, and food allergies. The effect of the mother's antibodies on the baby ends. Vaccination required.
• At the age of two, active exploration of the world begins. It is important to strengthen the immune system in children, because at this time they are faced with a huge number of viruses.

Own defenses begin to be developed from the age of 4. The immunity acquired from vaccinations is supplemented by that acquired during past infections. During this period, it is important to treat illnesses as chronic diseases develop. The immune system is finally built up during puberty, when hormonal changes occur.

Parents can help develop protection against diseases at any age. How to strengthen a child's immunity? This requires an integrated approach:

• carry out hardening;
• take vitamins;
• organize proper nutrition;
• ensure healthy sleep;
• get vaccinated;
• take vitamin supplements;
• take immunomodulators;
• walk for at least 4 hours.

How to strengthen a child’s immunity by hardening

Hardening plays an important role in strengthening the immune system in children. There are two types of procedures - air and water. The first one recommends:

• maintain the room temperature no higher than 18;
• sleep with the window open;
• do exercises outside;
• sunbathing in summer;
• run barefoot on grass, sand;
• carry out air baths with a minimum of clothing;
• to walk alot.

How to strengthen a child’s immunity with water procedures? This issue must be approached carefully, observing the following conditions:

• children must be healthy at the start of classes;
• you need the attitude not to be afraid of procedures, but to enjoy it;
• constantly increase the difference in water temperature during contrast dousing;
• classes to strengthen protection should be carried out every day at a certain time.

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We strengthen the child’s immunity with water procedures starting at a temperature of 30, gradually reducing it. Everything must be done in stages. Over time, the temperature difference should be increased to 20. The procedures are carried out sequentially:

• wiping with cool water using a towel or sponge;
• dousing the hands at a contrasting temperature;
• using warm and cold showers;
• going barefoot in the snow;
• winter swimming

How to boost your child’s immunity with proper nutrition

Nutrition plays a special role in strengthening the immune system in children. Parents should be aware of foods that reduce defenses. It is unacceptable to give him chips, fast food, or sweet soda. It is necessary to exclude from the diet foods prepared by frying and foods that reduce immunity:

• cow's milk is a strong allergen;
• sugar, which destroys microflora;
• canned food;
• marinades;
• sausages, sausages.

How to support your child’s immunity with proper nutrition? The menu should contain products containing proteins, minerals, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. You should include in your home diet:

• vegetables - zucchini, cauliflower, peppers;
• fruits - pears, citrus fruits, cranberries;
• dairy products;
• fish;
• lean meat;
• beans, peas;
• cereals;
• eggs;
• raisins, prunes;
• Rye bread;
• cheese.

Strengthening immunity with vaccination

Doctors have developed a special schedule according to which children from a certain age are required to receive vaccinations. After vaccination, artificial immunity is developed. There is a lot of discussion around the question of whether to vaccinate or not. One thing is clear - children who have strengthened their immunity through vaccination get sick less often, and if it does happen, they tolerate the disease much easier.

Review of drugs

Pharmacology has created many drugs to increase children's immunity. Let's look at the most popular of them. All prices are as of December 2020.

Derinat for immunity in children

Acts on various parts of the body's defenses:

• potentiates the production of its own protective proteins;
• enhances the effect of other antiviral drugs on the immune system, protecting against complications and accelerating recovery.

The product is easily administered by dropping it into the nose, which does not cause negative emotions to the baby. Can be used to treat a newborn baby. Derinat has a minimum of contraindications and an almost complete absence of side effects. The price of the product depends on the region and is 300-400 rubles.

Immunal for children's immunity

Prescribed during the transitional seasons of the year and during the socialization of the child (entry to kindergarten or school), when the chances of infection increase. Preventive administration of the drug for immunity to a child lasts one or two months, but not more than 3 times a year.

The duration and frequency of administration depend on the health status of the little patient and the recommendations of the immunologist. The effect occurs after 7-10 days, so preventive use should be started before the outbreak of influenza and other respiratory diseases. The medicine costs from 230 to 350 rubles.

Immunal Plus C to improve immunity in children

In addition to echinacea juice, the medication contains vitamin C. The product can increase the child’s body’s resistance to infections by increasing the number of leukocytes and interferon in the blood. Immunal Plus S also enhances phagocytosis and antibody production. This leads to the death of dangerous bacteria and viruses.

No less important are the antioxidant properties of ascorbic acid, which protects cells from damage and accelerates their recovery. The product enhances the effect of antibiotics and reduces the undesirable effects of their use.

Side effects are observed when dosages are violated and when used for more than two months. They are expressed in the following pathological changes:

• rash, swelling and other manifestations of allergies;
• paradoxical decrease in leukocyte protection in blood tests;
• provoking the occurrence or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases;
• bowel movements, abdominal pain;
• dizziness, headaches, changes in blood pressure;
• shortness of breath, cough.

Therefore, you should take the drug only according to medical recommendations, strictly following them. A 50 ml solution costs from 370 rubles in pharmacies.

Imudon for immunity for children

Tablets containing neutralized particles of pathogenic microorganisms.

Prescribed under the following circumstances:

• therapy of acute diseases of the ENT organs and prevention of their exacerbations;
• preparation for removal of adenoids, tonsils and after surgery on the nasopharynx;
• the presence of periodontitis, complications after tooth extraction.

Recommended for children over 3 years old. The tablets dissolve in the mouth every 2 hours. The frequency of administration depends on age. For preventive purposes, the medication is used less frequently during the day and in a smaller dose. Only a doctor can determine the treatment regimen. The price of Imudon ranges from 400 to 600 rubles.

Interferon for immunity in children

An antiviral agent available in the form of tablets and powder in ampoules. Administered through the mouth or nose by instillation or inhalation. The peculiarity of the administration is that the dose for adults and children is the same, but must be agreed with the doctor.

Interferon strengthens the child’s immunity and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of viral diseases. It has no contraindications or side effects. The approximate price for 10 ampoules is 90 rubles.

Pikovit for immunity in children

Available in several modifications. Contains various vitamins and minerals, some varieties include Omega 3. Can be used from 1 year in the form of syrup. For older children, the dosage form is chewable tablets. Depending on the variety, the price of the vitamin complex ranges from 110 to 300 rubles.

The goal of a pediatrician is to identify the cause of failures in immune defense. It is its elimination against the background of adequate immune stimulation with the help of medications and other methods of healing that will help the child grow up healthy.

Author: Olga Shchepina, doctor, especially for Mama66.ru

How to strengthen a child's immunity

It is very important for parents to prepare for winter and spring, when the child often gets sick due to hypothermia. Increasing your defenses depends on many factors. Effective are:

• compliance with the regime;
• healthy sleep;
• eliminating stress in children;
• active games, sports;
• elimination of overheating;
• taking vitamins;
• taking medication to strengthen the immune system;
• use of folk remedies.

Vitamins for immunity

Complex preparations containing microelements and vitamins help strengthen the body’s defenses. They protect children from infections and promote the production of antibodies. With their participation, immune cells are protected from destruction. The following tools are popular:

• Pikovit;
• Multi-tabs;
• Alphabet;
• Vitrum Kids;
• Kinder Biovital;
• VitaBears;
• Grovit;
• Fish fat;
• Multivitamol.

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Pharmaceutical preparations for immunity

Preparations made from natural herbal ingredients can be purchased in pharmacies. This includes alcohol tinctures, which pediatricians prescribe for children, starting with a few drops, to test the drug for allergies. The drug is diluted with water. The following tinctures are effective:

• echinacea;
• Eleutherococcus;
• ginseng.

Immunity pills

Among medications, children are prescribed tablets to strengthen their defenses, taking into account their age, body condition, and disease. They help a lot:

• for viral diseases - Cycloferon, Grippferon;
• for infants - Anaferon, Arbidol;
• based on natural substances - Echinacea Dr. Theis, Immunal;
• against bacteria – Imudon, IRS-19;
• homeopathic medicines – Aflubin, Mucosa Compositum.

Folk remedies to boost immunity

It is better to start preparing to eliminate winter colds in the fall. How to strengthen a child’s immunity with folk remedies? The most affordable is rosehip decoction prepared in a thermos. Traditional medicine recommends its use from infancy. It is effective to drink propolis infusion. For preparation:

• take 30 g of propolis;
• pour in a glass of water;
• soak in a water bath for an hour.

You can support weak immunity with the help of black elderberry flowers. Place a spoonful of dry substance in a glass of boiling water. After 15 minutes you can drink, but it is better to do it at night. Herbal tea works well; to prepare it, add a spoonful of the mixture to a cup of boiling water. Drink several times a day. According to the recipe, the mixture includes in proportions:

• nettle – 2:
• lingonberries – 2;
• rosehip – 3.

The best hardening techniques

It is necessary to select the correct hardening methods together with a pediatrician. In this case, the child’s health status, age and psychological state must be taken into account. The following procedures are most effective:

1. For children under 1 year of age, it is preferable to harden them with air baths, massage and visiting the pool.
2. If the child is not yet 3 years old, then active games in the fresh air, walking on massage mats, a cool shower, and sunbathing are suitable for him.
3. For children from 3 to 6 years old, wiping with a wet towel and dousing with cool water are used for hardening.
4. Adult children can increase their immunity with the help of douches, contrast showers, and active physical exercises.

How to restore immunity after illness

If a child has been sick for a long time, the parents’ first priority is to prevent re-infection. You need to stop visiting places with large crowds of people for a while. If someone at home has not yet recovered, limit the child’s contact with him and wear a bandage. To increase immunity during this period, the following are important:

• long walks;
• taking vitamins;
• proper nutrition;
• long sleep;
• positive emotions;
• restoration of microflora if antibiotics were taken.

When to start boosting immunity in children

If a son or daughter gets sick 5-6 times a year, this is not yet a signal for alarm, because the body learns to resist and its defense mechanisms are improved. But if illnesses occur more often, then you should worry about raising immunity - the child is 3 years old. It is necessary to note how the disease progresses. If the infection does not cause a rise in temperature, treatment does not have the desired effect for a long time and recovery is delayed; if the baby is lethargic, inactive, pale, and the lymph nodes are enlarged, you should urgently contact an immunologist and try to improve immunity.

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How to strengthen your child’s immunity before kindergarten

An important period in a child’s life—the beginning of kindergarten—is often accompanied by colds and viral infections. Strengthening the immune system in children at this age is of particular importance. It is recommended to take general strengthening measures in advance:

• start hardening;
• do exercises in a ventilated room;
• limit sugar consumption by replacing it with dried fruits;
• sleep 10 hours;
• exercise;
• give the opportunity to move more, communicate with peers;
• feed properly;
• create a cheerful mood for the child;
• teach how to brush your teeth and wash your hands.

Key causes and signs of reduced immunity in a child

The newborn's body is protected from disease by antibodies contained in breast milk. In the future, the state of the baby’s immune system will depend on proper care. A decrease in protective properties occurs due to the following factors:

• Early transition to artificial feeding.
• Improper diet, lacking sufficient vitamins and microelements.
• Lack of physical activity.
• Lack of long walks in the fresh air.
• Chronic diseases.
• Violation of the correct daily routine, lack of proper rest.
• Reluctance of parents to harden their child.

Decreased immunity can also be hereditary. Therefore, parents suffering from this problem need to pay more attention to proper nutrition and hardening of their children.

The sooner measures are taken to strengthen the immune system, the greater the chances of maintaining the baby’s health. The following signs will help you recognize the problem in a timely manner:

1. Frequently transmitted infectious diseases.
2. The baby regularly complains of headaches.
3. Apathy, drowsiness, persistent feeling of fatigue.
4. Manifestations of allergic reactions.
5. Long recovery period after illnesses.
6. Even small wounds and abrasions do not heal for a long time.
7. Skin problems.
8. Nails become brittle and peel.

The appearance of such signs suggests that children's immunity is already significantly weakened. The task of parents is to prevent this and follow all the rules for caring for the baby.