Reducing The Risk Of Cold And Flu In Your Kids

With kids bringing home between six and twelve different colds over the course of the year, it’s a good idea to read up on naturopathic cold and flu treatments so that you’re never caught off guard.

On this episode of the Marilyn Denis show, I joined Dr. Kymm Feldman to talk about the flu and the common cold in kids, and what we can do about it.

Or below, you can watch the video on reducing the risk of cold and flu, or keep reading to find out more.

Besides Colds, What’s The Risk?

Did you know there are over one hundred different types of colds, including rhinovirus, and enterovirus?

These viruses and coronaviruses are mutating all the time, which is why kids can get so many colds over the course of just one year.

How Do You Know It’s A Regular Cold?

You’re most likely to get either the cold or the flu, but these two illnesses have very different sets of symptoms.

The flu comes on quickly, with lots of muscle aches and pains, fever, and vomiting.

On the other hand, a regular cold is a slow build that peaks in a low-grade fever, cough and sore throat.

Are Cough & Cold Medications A Good Idea?

Back in 2009, the Health Canada issued a recommendation that children aged six or younger not be given any cough and cold medicines.

In 2016, they reaffirmed this position.

Not only did it show to have almost no effect on the cold, it also turns out to be dangerous for ones so young.

For children aged six to twelve, cold and cough medication has only a small benefit. Here again, you’re better leaving those aside and picking up some natural remedies, instead.

Preventative Measures For Catching A Cold

One proven way of reducing your chances of getting a cold is to wash your hands.

Feel free to pretend you’re Dr. McDreamy on your way into surgery. Adopt an excellent scrubbing strategy and pay full attention to crevices and creases.

Or you could simply sing the birthday song to yourself to make sure you’re washing long enough.

Nevertheless, it really helps, as does the “vampire cough” – coughing or sneezing into your elbow instead of into your hand.

Natural Solutions For Cold & Flu

You may want to keep some Tylenol and Advil on hand for your next cold. But be sure to add these natural remedies to your medicine cabinet too.

1. Honey

There is some great new research on honey, proving that a protein made by bees and found in honey kills bacteria.

You can also put honey in drinks, in cereal, in baking, and more. It could be your household’s natural sweetener, and it has the added benefit of being a bit of a natural antibiotic.

And the best part? You won’t have to fight with your kids to take it.

2. Zinc

Zinc is great for the immune system, and it can be used as treatment for the common cold.

It’s the perfect thing to give to your children daily in their multivitamin. For a dietary source, let them nibble on pumpkin seeds for a healthy dose of zinc.

When they start feeling some scratchiness coming on, give them a zinc lozenge to help with their sore throats.

It’s okay to give kids an adult lozenge, but try to find one without added dyes or sugars.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known to support the immune system.

A 2017 paper by Carr and Maggini outlines how this works, if you’d like to read more about the science.

You can take a supplement on a daily basis, and not worry about overdosing on it. Because your body will pass any excess vitamin C through your urine, it’s hard to overdose.

The best way to get your vitamin C is to include plenty of delicious options in your diet: guava, kiwi, bell peppers or oranges are some great sources.

Alternately, you can pick up some camu camu powder. This powder is derived from the camu camu fruit from the Amazon, which packs a super-dose of vitamin C.

4. Vitamin D

The truth is, we just don’t get enough vitamin D.

It’s actually pretty tough to get through your diet, however do the best you can by eating fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.

Your best bet is to pick up a big bottle of vitamin D supplements. You’ll need to take them all year round, because if you wear sunscreen (and you should!) you’re still not getting enough vitamin D.

5. Chicken Soup

There is good scientific evidence that there are medicinal properties to chicken soup, beyond the magic that comes with being made with love.

Chicken soup is an anti-inflammatory. It helps with decongestion and rehydration, both of which are a relief when you’re sick.

Foods To Avoid When You Have A Cold

Even though your kids might fight you over this, you really should cut all sugar out of their diet when they’re sick.

It’s surprisingly hard to cut out sugar, however, because it’s hidden in all kinds of foods.

As well, avoid giving them dairy, because it generates a lot of phlegm.

If you’ve been using ice cream to soothe their sore throats, you may need to turn to homemade fruit freezies instead.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ

If you’re dreading the winter cold season, or have found your family sick for most of the last year, then you’ve come to the right place.

I’m Dr. JJ, a naturopathic doctor based in Toronto, and I’m at your disposal.

Call now to book a consultation. I’ll be happy to go over your symptoms, look at the right treatments for you, and help you and your family feel better.