Tips for Parents on Preventing Contagious Diseases at School

Parents' inner and outer voice repeat the same sentence with the start of the new school year: "Oh no, schools will open, will my child get very ill?" "Of course it is quite natural that children who have grown up in a sterile and well-protected family environment for the first 2-3 years will fall ill when they meet their peers at school. But let us not forget that with each year spent at school, their immune systems will develop and they will fall ill less frequently," says Dr. Dicle Çelik, Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist at Liv Hospital, who provided recommendations for the school period.

The stronger our immune system, the stronger we are against infectious diseases. For this, we have some essentials:

• A healthy pregnancy and nutrition for the mother,
• Natural vaginal delivery,
• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and if possible continuing until age 2. In the absence of or lack of breast milk, consumption of follow-up milk rich in probiotics,
• The concept of "First 1,000 Days" is very important. That is, natural nutrition without additives during the period from the moment the baby is conceived until the end of age 2,
• Timely and complete vaccinations according to age,
• Consumption of homemade kefir, yogurt, pickles, tarhana, şalgam juice, boza, or probiotic use increases friendly bacteria in our intestines and strengthens our immune system,
• If possible, a life without antibiotics in the first 2 years,
• Regular vitamin D supplementation in the first 2 years, and as needed vitamin D supplementation thereafter,
• Children playing in open, clean air,
• Nutrition with foods free of additives and preservatives,
• Our children engaging in active sports,
• Regular sleep, especially noting that growth hormone is secreted during deep sleep after midnight,
• Compliance with hygiene rules, personal hygiene plays a very important role in having a strong immune system. When it comes to hygiene in children, hand washing, tooth brushing, bathing and toilet hygiene come to mind first.

We see upper respiratory tract diseases very frequently
Especially with the opening of schools, we see upper respiratory tract diseases very frequently in children. For this reason, frequent ventilation of classrooms, cleaning of toys especially in daycare and preschools, not sending sick children to school, and in winter not spending too much time in closed spaces despite weather conditions are important in breaking the chain of disease.

Should vitamin supplementation be given?
I do not recommend that every child starting school necessarily use vitamins or immune-boosting medication. Each child must be evaluated individually and a pediatrician should make the decision on this matter. However, I recommend regular vitamin D supplementation, consumption of fish 1-2 days per week, omega-3 supplementation for children who do not consume fish, and zinc supplementation for children with zinc deficiency.