Preventing common summer illnesses in children is important and necessary, as young children are highly susceptible to infections during the summer. Below are preventive measures that parents of children under 3 years old should be aware of and follow to help protect their children’s health during the summer.
Preventing common summer illnesses in children through a proper diet
In children’s daily meals, parents should ensure adequate intake of the following nutrients:
- Choose foods that provide sufficient protein, carbohydrates, green vegetables, and fresh fruits.
- Limit foods containing animal-based fats.
- Ensure that the diet contains essential vitamins and micronutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, and B12, as well as copper, zinc, and folic acid.
- Encourage children to drink enough fluids, about 1 to 1.5 liters per day, including milk, water, and fruit juice.
A healthy daily routine helps prevent common summer illnesses in children
Parents should maintain a healthy and well structured daily routine for their children and guide them on proper personal hygiene to help prevent common summer illnesses.
- Have children wash their hands several times a day with hand soap, especially before meals and after using the toilet.
- Do not allow children to eat with their hands, suck their fingers, or put toys in their mouths, as bacteria can easily attack their immature immune systems.
- Do not pre-chew food for children, as this may unintentionally transmit infections to them.
- Each child should have their own face towel, hand towel, and eating utensils.
- Children’s toys should be cleaned every day.
- The home should be well ventilated and cleaned daily with appropriate cleaning products.
- Let children sleep under a mosquito net, including during the daytime, to help prevent dengue fever in the summer.
Physical activity
Physical activity is beneficial for children’s physical development and also helps prevent common summer illnesses. However, due to hot summer weather, parents should pay attention to the following:
- Do not let children play outdoors in direct sunlight, especially at noon and in the late afternoon.
- Do not allow children to stay or play for too long in air conditioned rooms with low temperatures.
- If children sweat heavily during play and their clothes become wet, change their clothes immediately to prevent them from catching a cold, which may lead to respiratory infections.
- Do not allow children to bathe or swim in ponds, lakes, or rivers for too long without adult supervision.
A proper sleep and rest schedule helps prevent common summer illnesses in children
- Children should get enough sleep, about 8 to 10 hours per day, to support good health and ensure healthy overall development. During sleep, the brain remains highly active, helping children grow and develop better.
- Parents should not let children engage in excessive physical activity, as this may cause them to startle easily or wake up during sleep at night.
- When children sleep, the air conditioner should not be set lower than 27 to 28 degrees Celsius. Fans should not blow directly at children, as this may easily cause them to catch a cold.
Full vaccination
- Parents should ensure that children receive full vaccination during the summer to prevent diseases, especially children under 1 year old, whose immune systems are still immature.
- Children should be vaccinated according to the recommended schedule to help reduce the risk of illness and mortality.
The above are summer disease prevention measures for children that parents should know to help prevent potential health risks, ensuring that children grow and develop in a healthy and comprehensive manner.
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