As Qatar is experiencing unstable weather, the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has advised on precautions which will help to prevent cold and flu attacks especially among children and newborns.
“Cold and flu is a recurrent problem during winter and is even more inconvenient for children who cry to express their pain because of congestion, shortness of breath and pain due to infection or high body temperature,” says Dr Al Joundi, Paediatric Specialist at PHCC.
Dr Al Joundi's advice is to maintain a balanced humidity level in the child’s room, treat the child’s nasal congestion, let the child stay hydrated and boost his immune system's natural defences with vitamin C, use essential oils and breastfeed children and newborns to prevent cold and flu attacks.
During the winter, humidity levels drop and children can face difficulties in breathing properly. Increasing the humidity level by putting a pot of water over the heater adds moisture to the air, which can moisten your child's airway passages.
When a child’s nose is stuffy, they may have trouble breathing, sleeping, and eating. Cleaning a child’s nose often can thin the mucus and shrink swollen airways. Also, let the child stay hydrated and boost his immune system's natural defenses with vitamin C
For a child above four months of age, and further doctor’s approval, drinking fluids such as juices that contain Vitamin C and antioxidants helps prevent dehydration, strengthen its immune systems to function at its peak and reduce a cold’s symptoms.
PHCC recommends three different types of essential oils as peppermint oil massage, lavender oil and tea tree oil, that may help relieve child’s cold and congestion. Also, breastfeeding is emphasized as a very important element for curing diseases and infections in infants. Breast Milk composition plays a part in the proliferation of natural antibodies to fight infections and boost the child’s immune system.
