Parents are often aghast to find that their apparently healthy pre-schoolers are repeatedly ill, and subject to recurrent bouts of coughs, colds, flu and tummy bugs. The good news is that this is not only normal, but, in most cases, a healthy sign.
All children are born with immature immune systems and, as a result, get many infections - on average, every month or two. As their immunity develops, the number of infections decreases and by the time children reach school age, their rate of infection is usually the same as that of adults.
When a young child comes into contact with viruses or bacteria, their immune systems kick into action - and what we know as 'symptoms' are, in fact, evidence of this. A runny nose, fever and coughing are all evidence that a child's body is hard at work fighting off invaders. So symptoms need not be alarming, unless they cause a child to become seriously debilitated.
Where there are large numbers of children in a setting, more are likely to become ill. Iinfections are passed between children when they drool, wipe their hands on their noses, play closely together, touch one another and share toys. Two-thirds of children in nurseries are ill more than 60 days a year.
You can help to encourage a healthy immune system.
* Ensure parents are aware of the dangers of smoking or smoky environments: children who are around passive smoke are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections and asthma. Smoke causes runny noses and wheezing as the child's airways are irritated.
* Encourage plenty of good, restful sleep: inadequate sleep lowers our immune response. A recent study showed that missing even a few hours a night on a regular basis can decrease the number of 'natural killer cells', which are responsible for fighting off invaders such as bacteria and viruses.
* Be careful about hygiene: viruses and bacteria spread quickly when children's hands are not washed, when toys are not cleaned regularly, and when things like door handles and toilets are not wiped down. All children should get into the habit of washing their hands regularly, after a trip to the lavatory and before meals. But try to avoid antibacterial cleansers, which wipe out ordinary 'bugs' that are required for immunity to develop.
* Promote a healthy diet: vitamins and minerals found in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish and other 'healthy foods' are essential for the body to work efficiently. In particular, children need plenty of vitamin C (found in fruit and vegetables).
Vitamin C is essential for the formation of the production of white blood cells, which fight off disease. It also has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses. A number of studies show that viruses in particular cannot survive in an environment that is high in vitamin C.
Immune-boosting fruits include strawberries, papaya, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit and blueberries. Good vegetables are tomatoes, broccoli and sweet potatoes, as well as soya products. Ensure children get lots of yellow vegetables, which contain carotenoids that increase production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Yellow-orange fruits and dark green vegetables such as apricots, carrots, pumpkin, kale, spinach, squash and mango are also good.
* Cut down on sweet foods in your setting: Sugar has a strong depressive effect on the immune system. According to a 1997 study, as little as six teaspoons a day can reduce the immune response by 25 per cent.
* Encourage regular exercise: Exercise both increases the white blood cells' ability to fight off infection and increases the number of killer cells.
Taking steps to boost immunity will mean not only fewer infections as a child's immune system grows stronger, but also shorter and less serious illnesses when invaders do hit the mark.
Resources
* Many natural remedies and supplements, such as zinc and echinacea, can boost immunity. Visit www.good nessdirect.co.uk for details, and order from www.yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk.
* For a detailed overview of how diet affects immunity and supplement use, visit www.askdrsears. com.
* Nutritionist Lucy Burney has published a number of books on immunity and children, and offers excellent recipes to ensure optimum nutrition. Visit www.lucyburney.co.uk for details.
* My own book Commonsense Healthcare for Children (Piatkus, 14.99) provides information on improving sleep, a healthy diet, natural remedies when children do become ill, exercise and an overview of the impact of modern society on our children's immunity.
* Teach children about germs and what goes on inside their bodies with Magic School Bus Inside Ralphie: A Book About Germs by Beth Nadler and Joanna Cole (Scholastic, 2.50), and introduce them to fruits and vegetables with Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert (Red Wagon, available from amazon.co.uk, 5).
