Children's Health Myths regarding Cold & Flu
Eight Common Children’s Health Myths every parent should know
1. Pharmaceuticals for Kids have no side effects!
Panadol for kids or Neurofen for kids and others contain chemicals that will have some effect on the children’s health! Antibiotics are mostly not a good option either as they only help with bacterial infections and Cold & Flu’s are to more than 95% viral infections. They also kill 98% of our intestinal flora and therefore weaken the digestive system which contains more than 85% of our immune system – a double whammy! Strengthening the immune system is what we should do.
For more information see chapter Natural Medicine and look at: ‘Winter = Cold & Flu’.
2. Don’t kiss your child if you have a cold
A kiss won’t hurt as it is hard to pass a flu/cold through kissing. The saliva in the mouth contains very little cold and flu viruses. Sneezing and coughing is much more dangerous as it brings up viral enriched fluids from our airways.
3. Cold & Flu’s are most contagious before the symptoms show
The most contagious is the time when symptoms are at their worst! That’s because these infections are commonly passed via hand to hand contact or through sneezing out and coughing up viral enriched droplets. So even if your child is almost over it they can still spread the illness easily.
4. It’s best not to fight mild fevers
It always depends on the situation some children are still happy and full of energy even when the temperature raises above 39 C. Keep an eye on them and help the immune system fighting off the cold and flu viruses with natural remedies and make sure they drink enough clear water and sugar free juices to avoid dehydration. If your child is miserable these remedies will also help to pick up their mood as they help the body to help and heal itself. Fevers are a good sign as they are a way that the body can fight infection by destroying bacteria and viruses that can not survive at higher temperatures and stimulating the immune system. If your child is 6 months or younger or you are concerned always contact your Health Practitioner for more advice.
5. Cold & Flu’s cause Ear Infections
There are two different beliefs here – the first stating correctly that Cold and Flu’s are caused by viruses where 90% of ear infections are caused by bacteria. The reason your child gets an ear infection with the Cold and Flu is because of the build up of fluid and mucus in the ear tubes which happens automatically with the virus. This then creates a perfect environment for ear infections as bacteria can grow easily in this condition and as the immune system is weakened the body is not strong enough to fight these pathogens from coming in.Secondly we know from the article ‘Prevention & Treatment of Cold & Flu’ that based on the theory of Dr. Richard Simmons the cold and flu can only enter through the ear canal and not through mouth, nose or eyes. German Research from 1938 showed great success in the treatment of cold and flu symptoms based on this theory. For more information see chapter Natural Medicine and read the article Winter = Cold & Flu and especially ‘Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for the treatment of Colds and Flu’.
6. Feed the Cold but starve the fever
This is simply a myth as all sick children and adults need nutrients and liquids to get better whether they have a cold or a flu. If your child doesn’t feel like eating solids, then vegetable or brown rice soup and juices are good alternatives and help to get them back on track.
7. The B.R.A.T. diet is the best for diarrhoea
B for bananas, R for brown rice, A for applesauce and T for wholemeal yeast free millet or brown rice toast are a good way to thicken and bind loose stools. A thick brown rice soup is a good option followed by a smashed banana as dessert.
8. Green Mucus indicates the child has something more serious than a cold
Not really. White mucus is the most common one, but yellow and green can also be just the symptoms of a cold. If your child often has green and yellow mucus there could be an underlining problem with recurring bacterial infections. Discoloured mucus and a constant high fever, no appetite, cough or severe nasal congestion plus the fact that it is hard for your child to sleep may be the sign of a bacterial infection. In this case or just to make sure you are reading the signs right please contact your Naturopathic Doctor, Naturopath or Health Practitioner.
If we are not sure if we have a Viral Infection or a Bacterial Infection and need to choose for the right Natural Remedy we can again listen to our body, it has the answer:
Viral Infection = we are tired and want to sleep a lot!
Bacterial Infection = it is hard to get a good sleep at all!
