National Child Health Day is the first Monday in October. The purpose of this day is to ensure that every child in America has equal access to quality and affordable health care and education so that they can thrive and reach their full potential.
There were no children’s hospitals in the past. It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that there were any facilities specifically for treating children. Children’s health has not been effectively protected for a long time. They have been neglected, which has seriously damaged human society. Children are the most vulnerable and the future of our society. Ensuring their health is ensuring the vitality of society for the future.
Unite the nation to spread the ways to prevent childhood diseases and raise funds to support parents and children to know how to prevent diseases to stay healthy. When families are supported, there will be groundbreaking results in improving the health of children across the country. By creating an ideological climate that focuses on disease prevention, children can learn to protect themselves.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge negative impact on children’s physical and mental health. Separated from friends and daily activities for a year due to school closures and remote learning, children are unable to play as freely as before. It takes a tremendous toll on their mental health.
Cases of common respiratory infections have been at historically low levels during the pandemic as offices closed, remote learning and wearing face masks, health experts say. But as students returned to school and went about their daily activities, the spread of respiratory diseases accelerated, hospitals across the country beginning to fill up with sick children. This year, however, things got worse, with an increasing number of young children going into emergency rooms because they lacked immunity from previous infections while in isolation.
Even as the number of COVID-19 infections declines, we need to remain vigilant. Winter is the peak season for influenza. The number of influenza deaths worldwide is more than 200,000 a year on average, and it will be even higher when the number of deaths from complications such as heart disease due to influenza is included. According to data collected by CouponBirds, the risk of death from respiratory diseases increases exponentially with age. Infants and the elderly tend to have heightened risks of death.
Furthermore, this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert warning people to take precautions against enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). The number of EV-D68 infections dropped due to strict implementation of pandemic prevention and control measures, but it is back now.
Enteroviruses, including EV-D68, spread most in late summer or early fall. EV-D68 symptoms range from a common cold to more severe asthma-like symptoms, including wheezing and difficulty breathing. Infants, children with asthma and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have respiratory problems and complications. Some patients needed treatment in intensive care units.
In children, symptoms of EV-D68 may include severe respiratory illness and are associated with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare but serious complication. Although AFM cases are still rare, the results are very serious. It affects the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and even leads to permanent paralysis. Unfortunately, more than 90 percent of cases occur in young children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that parents contact their child’s health care provider immediately if their child has difficulty breathing or develops sudden limb weakness.
How to reduce the risk of EV-D68 infection in daily life:
- Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds when you get home and before eating.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched, such as desk and door knobs
- Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or utensils with someone who is sick.
- Wear a mask in public-especially if you are at high risk of contracting a serious illness.
- Limit the amount of time you go out when you’re sick and try to stay home
Source: unicef.org
Some viruses are coming back, COVID-19 and winter flu are still around. We still need to urge children to wear masks. Some parents refuse to test children with cold symptoms so they can attend school. Because people have to stay home for five days after testing COVID-19 positive. But this can lead to more serious consequences.
Winter flu symptoms are generally mild, but parents should pay attention to early symptoms in their children. If fever, diarrhea, or vomiting persist for three days, they should go to the hospital. Generally such symptoms continue for one day should be treated, so as not to aggravate.
Flu vaccines are important for people with weak immunity, such as children 6 months to 5 years of age, pregnant women, and someone over 65. A single vaccination will protect you for at least six months. Everyone should get vaccinated before flu season starts to keep you safe through the winter. If the six months is up, you can get both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
Parents should check with hospitals about flu and COVID-19 vaccines and confirm whether their children are suitable for vaccination. Prevention is greater than cure. Don’t wait until your child is actually sick before you seek treatment and get your child vaccinated against the flu.
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