To put an end to frequent illnesses in the kindergarten 

Frequent illnesses in the kindergarten or nursery are a common scenario, known to almost every parent. Viral infections often attack young children, sometimes practically every week. This can be exhausting for the children and put parents under constant stress. 

If your little one is starting nursery or kindergarten this fall, you are probably filled with anxiety at the thought that, in a few days, your child may have a fever, a runny nose, and a sore throat. Caring for a child who frequently gets sick can be a significant challenge, especially for working parents. On top of that, there’s the worry about whether the infection will subside easily or surprise us with complications. 

It is clear that taking precautions against frequent illnesses in the kindergarten is essential. Is it possible? Can our child start kindergarten and completely avoid viruses? How can we reduce the frequency of illnesses? 

Illnesses are a normal part of a child’s development 

As unpleasant as they may be, illnesses during the nursery and kindergarten years are a part of a child’s immune system development. In this sense, it’s impossible to completely shield a young child. Sooner or later, they will have to go through various viral infections to build their body’s natural defenses. 

Children who haven’t attended nursery or kindergarten typically get sick more often when they first encounter large groups of peers. By starting nursery or kindergarten, younger siblings in the family already have some immunity built up because they’ve likely gone through several illnesses due to their older siblings and household contacts. 

This is the reason to reassure you that you shouldn’t despair at the first one or two cases of mild fever and a runny nose. It doesn’t mean that nurseries or kindergartens are “dangerous” for your child and will harm their health. It’s just that the still unaccustomed child’s body is more susceptible to daily contact with the viruses circulating in groups of 20 or even 30 children in the kindergarten. Don’t forget that with each passing year, the number of illnesses should start to decrease.

What is considered frequent illness? 

Usually, a young child gets sick from viral respiratory infections about 6 to 8 times a year. This is, of course, an average value, and you shouldn’t worry if your child gets sick more often, even around 10-12 times a year. This is considered normal, especially in two- and three-year-olds who are just starting nursery or kindergarten. 

As the child’s body gradually strengthens and immunity is built, you’ll notice with relief that illnesses become less frequent. Typically, in school-age children, more serious viral illnesses occur around 2-3 times a year. 

Illness in kindergarten should not be ignored 

After reassuring you, it’s important to emphasize that you should not ignore the symptoms of viral infections in your young children. 

Yes, this phase is normal, but when the first symptoms appear, it’s essential to provide the little patient with rest in a home environment and monitor their condition. Viral infections in children usually subside in a few days, and personal physicians often prescribe only symptomatic treatment to relieve a runny nose, cough, and fever. However, you should not leave your child with a runny nose or illness in the kindergarten. There, they can infect other children, and you risk worsening their symptoms, extending the recovery period significantly. 

Children with a fever, for example, can easily become dehydrated. Runny noses require appropriate therapy to liquefy the secretions and promote their removal; otherwise, they can accumulate in the throat, leading to exacerbation of the inflammatory process. 

So, no matter how unpleasant it may be to rush to the kindergarten to pick up your sick child for a few days or weeks, don’t delay in these moments. It’s a good idea to be organized before sending your child to nursery or kindergarten for the first time so you can react. Mobilize help from grandparents or talk to colleagues and bosses about temporarily adopting a more flexible work schedule. This way, you will be prepared to navigate the period of frequent illness with minimal stress for you and your child. 

How to Protect Your Child from Viral Infections 

While it’s impossible to completely prevent illnesses in daycare, there are ways to help strengthen your child’s immune system. By following proper hygiene practices and instilling good habits, you can reduce the frequency of your child getting sick. 

Hand Hygiene: Teach your child to wash their hands regularly. Touching objects contaminated with viral particles is a common way to contract infections. Children should become accustomed to washing their hands with warm water and soap, scrubbing for about 15 seconds each time. 

Healthy Lifestyle: Encourage outdoor play, physical activity, and exposure to natural light. Prolonged periods indoors and extended TV time do not contribute to immune system development. Replace them with outdoor activities and age-appropriate sports. It’s recommended that young children engage in about an hour and a half of physical activity per day to promote healthy circulation, muscle development, and robust cardiac and respiratory systems. Swimming is considered particularly beneficial because it engages the muscles without causing excessive strain and has a calming effect on children, helping them sleep better. 

Adequate Sleep and Nutrition: Children need 12 to 16 hours of sleep per night to maintain a properly functioning immune system. Maintain a balanced diet, including five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, as well as sufficient lean protein and whole grains. While it’s acceptable to treat your child to sweets like chocolate or ice cream occasionally, they should not become daily habits. 

Faster Recovery for a Sick Child 

We’ve already discussed that when your child shows symptoms of a viral infection, the first step is to keep them at home so they can rest comfortably. 

Rest and Hydration: If your child has lost their appetite, don’t force them to eat. Offer light, easily digestible foods such as fruits, soups, and broths. Ensure your child stays hydrated by frequently offering water or tea, especially if they have a fever, are vomiting, or have an upset stomach. 

Fresh Air and Short Walks: Short walks in fresh air are an excellent way to uplift your child’s spirits, especially when they are feeling weak. These outings can provide significant relief, even when dealing with a heavy cold. In these cases, having an inhaler at home can be very beneficial. There’s a wide variety of inhalers available in pharmacies and online. Inhalation therapy plays an increasingly important role in respiratory disease treatment, offering new ways to treat and prevent various respiratory conditions in patients of all ages. In the recent past, the treatment of children was often complicated due to the inability to apply inhaled medications or the need for specialized hospital equipment. Inhalers help deliver medications directly to the respiratory tract and lungs through a therapeutic approach. Besides being easy to use, inhalers help liquefy nasal secretions, allowing your child to breathe more comfortably. The advantages of inhalation therapy include the use of lower drug doses, rapid penetration to deeper areas of the respiratory system, and a low risk of side effects. Some models can be noisy and may frighten children, causing them to refuse treatment, so opt for a quiet, child-friendly inhaler. 

Please note that this text contains parenthetical references (1) and (2) that were not included in the original text. If you have specific sources or citations you’d like to include, please provide them, and I can add them to the translation. 

 
1 – https://www.texaschildrens.org/blog/can-exercise-boost-immune-function-children 

2 – https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/boosting-your-childs-immune-system-202110122614