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Prevention of colds in children
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Children under six years of age get colds on average six to eight times a year (mostly from September to April), with symptoms lasting an average of 14 days. How to prevent colds? What are some ways to prevent colds in children?
Read also: Cold prevention: the simplest and most effective methods
[ How does a cold spread?
To understand how to fight a cold, it is important to understand how it is spread. Colds can strike a child at any time of year, although most colds occur during the fall and winter months. It is important for parents to know that colds are not caused by cold climates or exposure to cold air.
Colds are spread from person to person, either through direct contact or exposure to the virus in the environment. Colds are most contagious during the first two to four days.
Droplets containing viral particles can be inhaled when breathing or coughing. Rhinoviruses are not usually spread by contact with infected droplets, although influenza and coronavirus can be spread through small droplets. Cold viruses are not usually spread through saliva.
People with colds usually carry the cold virus on their hands, and when shaking hands, it can infect another person for at least two hours after contact. If a child with a cold touches another child or adult who then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, the virus can later infect that person.
Some cold viruses can live on surfaces (such as countertops, doorknobs, or toys) for up to a day.
Therefore, the first method of preventing a cold in a child is to refrain from contact with adults or children who are sick.
Why do children get colds?
Small children in kindergarten usually suffer from colds more than children raised at home. However, when they go to school, they begin to get colds less often, since the immune system is already accustomed to certain viruses and bacteria and knows how to fight them. The immune system of small children is not yet very adapted to different bacteria and viruses. Therefore, after each new type of pathogenic virus enters the body, children get sick.
Cold Symptoms in Children
Cold symptoms usually appear within one to two days of infection. In children, nasal congestion is the most common symptom.
Children may also have thick yellow or green nasal discharge, a temperature above 38 ° C - these symptoms usually bother during the first three days of illness.
Protective measures against colds
Washing hands
The best protection for a child against the cold virus is frequent hand washing with soap and water. Be especially vigilant and wash your child's hands more often during the cold season, as well as the staff who work with children and all adults in the family.
Using wet wipes
Alcohol wipes are a great option for those without access to a faucet. If you're walking outside with your child, going to the park, or hanging out while your little one plays in the sandbox, take some alcohol wipes with you. They'll come in handy when you need to wipe your child's hands and your own.
Hands - away from face
Let your child keep his hands away from his face. Cold viruses can enter your body through your mouth, nose, eyes and keeping your hands away from these parts of the body will go a long way in preventing colds in children.
The child should not use other people's things, especially a keyboard, pen, dishes or any other object that may contain viruses or bacteria that cause colds.
Disinfect surfaces
Viruses are resilient compounds that can survive on surfaces for up to three hours. Use a disinfectant that will remove cold viruses from surfaces, especially in shared spaces.
Support your child's immune system
Teach your child how to eat right, exercise, and manage stress. This will help his immune system fight off colds.
Medicines - as prescribed
You need to be especially careful with popular advertised medicines for coughs, colds, etc. Incorrect dosage or use of medicine by a child not as prescribed can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, vomiting, decreased immunity.
Aflubin and nasal lavage
This is a great way to boost your child's immunity and prevent colds. If you see that your child is getting sick, let him take a course of aflubin (read the instructions for the drug). Sea buckthorn will also help boost your immunity. You can freeze the berries for the winter and use them in portions. Take the frozen berries out and pour warm water over them until they defrost, then squeeze the juice out of them and give it to your child to drink.
Warm honey
If the child is not allergic to honey, you can rub melted honey on his chest and back. This is a very good immunostimulant and an excellent preventative for colds in children.
Hardening
Cold prevention is, first of all, hardening. First, rub the baby's arms and legs with a cool towel, lower the water temperature by a few degrees when bathing, and practice walking in the fresh air. This will be an excellent cold prevention for children of all ages.
Preventing colds in children requires your time and care, dear parents. But as a result, you will see your child healthy and happy.