How to Prevent Infections in Kids

How to Prevent Infections in Kids

It’s moist..it’s humid..it’s damp… it’s too hot…it’s windy….different seasons bring a wide variety of infections for kids. Common infections from which kids suffer are throat infections, skin infections, eye infections, lung infections, urine infections and lot more. Sometimes infections also cause fever, rashes and itchy skin, cold, cough as their symptoms. Most of the time, infections are waterborne or foodborne caused by certain bacteria or viruses. We can always protect our kids from these infections by taking a few precautions

Wash your hands frequently and properly
1. Wash your Hands Frequently and Properly
Most of the kids wash their hands whether before or after eating food, after using the bathroom, post gardening or after playing in the mud. Kids should be trained to wash their hands and legs every time they enter the house. Also if they are suffering from cold or a cough, or after sneezing they should wash their hands to prevent further infections. Make sure they clean their nails and fingertips properly while washing hands.

Wash uncookedraw food items before cutting or using them
2. Wash Uncooked/Raw Food Items Before Cutting or Using Them
Kitchen hygiene is the most important factor to be controlled and supervised to prevent foodborne infections. Infections by foodborne pathogens can be prevented by preparing and storing food properly. Rinse all the fruits and vegetables properly under running water before serving or using them for cooking. Meat or non-vegetarian foods may cause a lot of infections. Make sure you clean and wash them properly before using. Storage area for raw food and cooked food should be kept separate. If you are storing food in refrigerator or freezer make sure you seal or pack them properly and store at the appropriate temperature.

Drink clean filtered or boiled water
3. Drink Clean/ Filtered or Boiled Water
Waterborne infections are very common especially during summers and rainy season. Sometimes dirty water gets mixed with drinking water causing infections. Make sure you filter your water or boil it to kill all the bacteria which can be hazardous to health. Always keep drinking water covered and in a clean container. Avoid using bad quality plastic bottles for storing water. Always keep your drinking water covered.

Proper immunization and vaccination
4. Proper Immunization and Vaccination
All the infants and kids should receive the recommended vaccinations at an appropriate age. Vaccination helps the body fight against certain viruses, infections and diseases. By getting vaccinated, we “trick” our body into thinking that it has been infected by a particular microbe, hence enhancing its own defences against subsequent infection.

Avoid using common hand towels, napkins, brush
5. Avoid using Common Hand Towels, Napkins, Brush
Personal usable items like a comb, brush, towels, napkins, handkerchief etc. can all be sources of infectious agents. Ideally, we all should use our personal items listed above to prevent transmission of infections. Also, we should all practice to sterilize or wash these things after using it.

Regular physical activity
6. Regular Physical Activity
During the last few decades, scientific evidence has confirmed a wide range of health benefits related to a regular physical activity. Regular physical activity keeps our immune system healthy by providing better oxygen to the body. Also, it helps the body absorb better nutrients.

Have a good nutritious balanced meal
7. Have a Good Nutritious Balanced Meal
Good nutrition is the key to good health and immunity. Give your kids a wide variety of colourful vegetables and fruits which provide an array of antioxidants. The good intake of antioxidant-rich foods helps the body destroy free radicals which lower immunity in the body. A balanced meal of proteins, carbohydrates and fats help the body absorb all the nutrients (vitamins and minerals) for the proper functioning of the body.

Maintain good oral hygiene
8. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Taking good care of your teeth and overall oral hygiene is important in maintaining good health. Poor oral hygiene is linked to complications. Brushing teeth twice a day is very important to prevent cavities and infections. Rinsing mouth after every meal helps to remove food particles that get stuck to the teeth which can cause infections.

Protect your babies from infections this season and enjoy their good growth and development.