Does getting sick often make you have better immunity?

'I often hear people say that children who often get sick will have better immunity later in life. Is this true? My baby gets sick a lot!' (Minh Anh, in Can Tho).

Specialist 2 Nguyen Thi Hong Loan, Deputy Head of Pediatrics and Neonatology Department, Phuong Nam Hospital (member of Phuong Chau Medical Group) answered: Actually, it is quite common for children to get "sick often". According to research and guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children aged 2-6 can get 6-8 colds or mild sore throats each year. If the child goes to preschool and interacts with many other children, that number can be a little higher (8-12 times/year) and is still considered normal.

Mild illnesses such as coughs, runny noses, and sore throats caused by viruses usually go away on their own after a few days and do not affect long-term health. This is the stage when your baby's immune system is learning to "recognize and remember" pathogens - like your baby exercising his immune system.

Therefore, saying that “children who are often sick will have better immunity” is only partly true. Because children do not “get sick more often to get better”, but through each viral infection, the child’s body will create immune memory, so when they get older, they will have fewer minor illnesses.

Maintain a balanced diet with enough protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin D for children to increase resistance.

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Signs of "minor illness" that parents should pay attention to

If your baby has the following symptoms, parents should take him to a specialist to find the cause:

Severe infections (recurrent pneumonia, ear infections, sinusitis). Each time the illness lasts, medication does not cure it. The baby is slow to gain weight, slow to grow, or is often tired. Prolonged infections such as oral thrush, recurrent skin fungus, prolonged diarrhea. If there are no signs of these, the baby is still growing well, eating and playing normally, then parents do not need to worry too much.

Preventing "minor illnesses" in children

Maintain a balanced diet, with enough protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin D. Limit cigarette smoke and air pollution. Get enough sleep and exercise every day to help increase natural resistance. Get vaccinated, especially against influenza and pneumococcus. Limit the abuse of antibiotics or “immune-enhancing” drugs of unknown origin.

It is normal for children to have a runny nose and cough during the period when their immune system is still developing. As the child grows older, usually after the age of 5, the “minor illnesses” will gradually decrease. Parents only need to pay attention to proper care, monitor growth and take them to the doctor if there are any unusual signs. Full and timely vaccination will help create immunity and protect children's health.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-phai-om-vat-nhieu-thi-mien-dich-se-tot-hon-185251106192106104.htm