According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu activity in the United States usually peaks between December and February, with a 2018 study suggesting that an average of 8% of the American population falls ill each season. Parents may find themselves on high guard over the next few months as their families are exposed to this and other seasonal illnesses alongside the unpleasant, sometimes dangerous, symptoms that they cause.
Not to fear — there are a myriad of simple actions that parents can take to prevent sickness, many of which can be enacted easily at home. We spoke with a local expert, Marilyn Marshall, PA-C in Family Medicine at Frederick Health, to ask the questions that families may have about protecting their families this winter, and get insight into the habits that really work to stay healthy.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
For parents looking to boost their family’s immunity amid cold & flu season, what are some foods to add to their children’s weekly diets?
You can almost never go wrong with adding more fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamin C, to their diet. Vitamin C is a known immunity booster — so foods like tomatoes, carrots, oranges, strawberries and bell peppers can be incorporated into meals or can be eaten as a healthy snack for your child’s immune system.
Are vitamins or supplements useful for illness prevention in children?
There’s no clear evidence that vitamins and supplements are useful for illness prevention in children. The best source of vitamins and nutrition should be from your child’s diet. While most kids don’t need vitamins, there can be some exceptions depending on diet and lifestyle. Consult your child’s primary care provider on your child’s specific needs, but a healthy, well-balanced diet is typically one of the best defenses for the immune system.
What are habits that parents can incorporate into their family’s day-to-day home life to prevent seasonal illness?
Teaching your child how to properly wash their hands for a full 30 seconds is one of the best habits for preventing seasonal illness. I recommend having them wash their hands as soon as they get home from school and also before eating. Keeping their hands away from their faces and coughing/sneezing into their elbow or a tissue will also greatly reduce the risk of spread for themselves and others.
What is the importance of family immunization this winter for flu and other illnesses such as COVID-19?
Children that attend school, day care and other activities are at high risk of exposure to viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza. By vaccinating children and family members, you are significantly lowering your chances of developing severe symptoms from these viruses that often require advanced care or hospitalization. Immunization also helps protect those in your family who are most at risk, including infants and older adults. Each winter, the emergency department gets overcrowded with patients suffering from the flu or COVID-19. You can prevent that by getting care proactively.
