REMEDIES FOR SICK CHILDREN
SALMON is high in vitamin D, which fights off infections and maintains strong bones. | COTTONBRO Pexels
Flu-fighting vitamins Essential vitamins and minerals that keep your body healthy and where to find them Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi WITH the flu season upon us, you’re doing everything in your power not to have anyone in your household get sick. While you can’t control the school or office environment, you can control what’s in your home. Cold and flu symptoms frequently include fever, chills, a sore throat, headaches, and body aches. The recommendation to help you fight the flu is a combination of a healthy diet, exercise, increased water intake and frequent handwashing along with five essential vitamins and minerals to keep your body healthy. Vitamin C Supports the immune system. This can also be found in oranges, grapefruit, broccoli, strawberries, red bell peppers and tomato juice. Vitamin D Also fights off infections and maintains strong bones – it is
found in salmon, mushrooms, milk, cereals and breads Vitamin A Helps regulate the immune system and protects against infections by keeping your tissues and skin healthy – it can be found in sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and spinach. Vitamin E Is an essential antioxidant that helps fight cell damage. Nuts and peanut butter are filled with vitamin E. Zinc Works as an antioxidant and boosts the metabolism along with healing wounds. Meat, shellfish, beans/legumes and nuts/seeds are high zinc foods. Are there foods that we could be eating to boost our immune
systems? There is no single food that will prevent you from catching the flu. But upping your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet will help you source essential vitamins and minerals In addition to having all of these, many experts advocate for the flu vaccination. In South Africa, seasonal flu vaccinations are now widely available, with the major pharmacy chains, Clicks, Dis-Chem, and Shoprite (via its MediRite pharmacies) all administering them. MediRite will do so for a cash price of R109, the cheapest among the three.It accepts all major medical aids, and you can book an appointment across a network of 146 pharmacies.
Tips and remedies for when your little one is battling cold or flu symptoms. | SNAPWIRE Pexels
VUYOLWETHU FUNDAM
AS we enter winter,moms are undoubtedly concerned because common colds are a threat. Children enjoy playing, which means they touch a lot of surfaces, particularly if they go to daycare, making them more susceptible to sickness than adults. Common cold symptoms in children are similar to those in adults and may include: fatigue, a sore body, dry coughs, runny or blocked nose, and a sore throat. Children, however, are more likely than adults to experience digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea when they get the flu. KidsHealth from the Nemours Foundation offers these tips on what to do if your child catches a cold: ◆ Offer plenty of liquids. Fever and appetite loss is common with colds and can lead to dehydration. ◆ During periods of chills or fever, dress your child in layers that are easy to add and remove. ◆ You can give over-thecounter cough or cold medicines
to children over six if your doctor allows it. Follow the package instructions carefully to ensure you give the right dose. Do not give these medicines to children under six because they can cause bad reactions. ◆ Running a cool-mist humidifier can help relieve coughs and runny or blocked noses. Clean it after each use or at least once a day. ◆ Honey can help loosen a stubborn cough in children older than 12 months. Give 1–2 teaspoons of honey at night. ◆ For a blocked nose, put a few drops of saline (salt water) into the nose, then gently suction the mucus out with a bulb syringe. Do this no more than 2–3 times a day so that the inside of your baby’s nose does not get swollen or sore. The Mitchells Plain Community Healthcare Centre’s (MPCHC) paediatric services unit provides these home remedies: Coughing 1 cup black rooibos tea 2 tsp honey or sugar 1 lemon (juiced)
Mix and give four times daily Eye drops 1 cup boiled water (cooled) ½ tsp salt Mix. Using cotton swabs, clean the cleanest eye first, then the second eye. Use 4 times daily. Consult your nearest clinic if there is no improvement within a week. Nose drops 1 tsp salt 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 cups lukewarm water Mix. Put a few drops in the nose every 4-6 hours. Diarrhoea and Vomiting 8 level tsp of sugar ½ level tsp of salt 1 litre of boiled water (cooled) Mix, and give each time when the child visits the bathroom or vomits. Diarrhoea and vomiting may lead to dehydration. The above mixture replaces the fluids that are lost during that time. MPCHC recommends consulting a clinic or doctor if the condition worsens.
