Tet is long and the weather is cold. What should we pay attention to to help children avoid getting sick?

Maintaining healthy habits and proper care will help children have a happy and healthy Tet holiday - Photo: NAM TRAN

Maintaining healthy habits and proper care will help your child enjoy a safe, healthy holiday.

Children are susceptible to illness during Tet season

This year’s Tet holiday lasts 9 days, while the weather is cold and festive activities take place everywhere. According to Master, Doctor Le Van Dung – Deputy Head of the General Examination and Emergency Department, Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, this is the time when children are susceptible to respiratory and digestive viruses.

“Common respiratory diseases such as colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. tend to increase. Especially during spring trips, many parents often freely let their children eat street food or food at restaurants that do not ensure food hygiene and safety. This leads to the risk of children being susceptible to enteritis and food poisoning,” said Dr. Dung.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung, former head of the pediatrics department at Bach Mai Hospital, said that children have weak resistance and are susceptible to illness when their lifestyle and weather change. During Tet, when children come into contact with many new people and environments, along with irregular eating habits, the risk of respiratory and digestive diseases increases.

Some common respiratory diseases in children are measles, flu, respiratory infections caused by viruses or bacteria... In addition, children can also have digestive problems because they eat too many types of food or food that is not hygienic.

Disease prevention and proper treatment

To protect children's health, Dr. Le Van Dung emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal hygiene.

Children need to wear masks when going to crowded places, wash their hands properly according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health and keep their bodies clean. These small actions will help children avoid the risk of infection with bacteria and viruses from the surrounding environment.

Parents need to take care of their children properly to avoid diseases during Tet - Photo: DOAN NHAN

In addition, food safety during Tet is also very important. Parents should feed their children on time, with adequate nutrition, and limit the consumption of street food or food of unknown origin.

“Not only meals, but also the living environment needs to be kept clean and safe. During Tet, when children often go on trips or return to their hometowns, parents need to ensure that their bodies are kept warm.

It is necessary to use heating devices properly and absolutely avoid using coal to heat in closed rooms. At the same time, parents should also pay attention to protect children from common accident risks such as firecrackers, traffic accidents or being bitten by dogs and cats," Dr. Le Van Dung advised.

In addition, full vaccination is an indispensable factor to protect children from infectious diseases. Doctors recommend that families ensure their children are vaccinated on schedule according to the expanded immunization program, especially measles and rotavirus vaccines in the context of these diseases increasing in the community.

In case the child shows signs of serious illness or does not improve after self-treatment at home, parents should take the child to a medical facility immediately. Hospitals will maintain 24/7 emergency care during the Tet holiday to promptly handle urgent cases.

In addition, every family should also equip a basic medicine cabinet in the house, including fever reducers, anti-allergy drugs, first aid items for accidents and burns. Being prepared to prevent and handle promptly will help protect children safely throughout the Tet holiday.

Many children hospitalized in Da Nang during the days before Tet - Photo: DOAN NHAN

Doctor Nguyen Tien Dung recommends that parents pay attention to daily hygiene of their children's nose and throat.

“Parents should also not overfeed their children, ensure food hygiene, choose food that is safely prepared, avoid contaminated food, eat cooked food, and drink boiled water. Children's food portions must be controlled, and children should not drink too much soft drinks or eat foods high in fat, because their digestive tract cannot absorb it and can cause digestive diseases.

When children have symptoms such as cough, fever, diarrhea, parents should first monitor the fever and at the same time compensate for the fluid loss with ORS (according to the correct mixing ratio). Then, take the child to a medical facility for examination and treatment. Absolutely do not use drugs on your own, especially antibiotics,” Dr. Dung emphasized.

Do not be subjective with children with underlying diseases or allergies.

According to Dr. Le Van Dung, the changing weather and environment during Tet make children more susceptible to allergens. For children with a history of food or foreign substance allergies, parents should absolutely avoid exposing their children to these factors.

Don't be subjective just because of the Tet holiday and let your children try "a little for fun" because this can lead to serious consequences.

For children with a history of asthma, parents should prepare an aerosol spray to handle the situation promptly when the child has an asthma attack. During Tet, many pharmacies are closed, so it is extremely necessary to have medicine and medical supplies on hand.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tet-dai-troi-lanh-chu-y-gi-de-tre-nho-tranh-benh-20250123172900342.htm