Tips To Prevent Viral Infection In Kids

Kids

oi-Asha

By Asha Das

Friday, April 24, 2015, 18:10 [IST]

People of all age groups get viral infections, but often kids are more prone to get infected. Therefore, it is better to know the different ways to prevent viral infections in kids.

Once the virus gets into your body, your immune system develops some natural mechanisms to destroy the virus. But in children, as the immune system is still in the developing stage, they will not be as strong as older people. That is why viral infections in kids are more common and frequent.

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Chicken pox, measles, mumps, viral pneumonia, HIV, and polio are some of the viral infections seen in kids. Cold with sore throat, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea are the common symptoms of viral infections in kids depending on the type of infection.

Usually, kids get viral infections through contact with infected fluids or secretion found on the toys, doorknobs, telephones, handrails or tables. When kids touch an infected object and if he rubs his nose or eyes, chances are more that he will get viral infections. Also, viral infections can spread through air, water, food, insect or animal bites.

Now, let us discuss some of the ways to prevent viral infections in kids.

Washing Hands
Hand washing for 20 seconds with or without an antibacterial soap is one of the most important ways to prevent viral infections in kids. This will prevent the germs from spreading. Make sure that the kids wash their hands properly before and after eating and as well as after using the toilet.

Practice Suitable Diaper Hygiene
Always be careful and cautious while changing diapers in kids. The changing table acts as the spot where the germs get exchanged among kids. Always lay a blanket or plastic sheet over the changing table before using it to prevent viral infections in kids.

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Keep Breastfeeding
Most of the women tend not to breastfeed their baby when they are suffering from cold or fever. But, actually by breastfeeding you are passing the antibodies to the child, thereby preventing your baby from getting sick. So, keep breastfeeding when you have viral infections as it helps to improve the immune system of your child.

Safety Precautions
Teach your child to cover their mouth while sneezing or coughing to prevent the spread of infections. Never allow your kid to share meals, drinks, tissues, handkerchiefs and bath towels with infected people. Make it a habit to throw used tissues immediately into the dustbin to prevent the germs from spreading.

Disinfect Rooms And Bathrooms
When you have kids, disinfecting your house more frequently can definitely prevent the germs from spreading. Always clean your house, particularly bathrooms, with good disinfectants. Wipe all the things that your kid touches, from toys to doorknobs, with a disinfectant to prevent viral infections.

Quarantine Your Kid
It is not an easy and good practice to keep your kid quarantined for 2-3 days when someone in your house is sick. But, it is necessary to quarantine the sick person so that your child does not get infected. Also, try to make your kid play in his room for longer periods and not take him to crowded places during flu season.

An effort to take some simple precautions against viral infections will keep your kids healthy.