During the hot summer, many babies are frequently hit by sudden summer colds in the heat of the day. Most of the colds are caused by cold, but why is it easier to catch a cold in summer when the day is hotter? Why are colds, which should be rampant in winter and spring, common in summer, and how is this “counter-seasonal cold” different from winter and spring colds? Although many parents have accumulated some “experience” with their babies’ colds, they still find it tricky to actually deal with them.
In fact, colds are a common occurrence in children, even in summer. Colds are caused by viruses or bacteria. Children often play together, so it is very easy to spread the cold virus or bacteria among children, and one child’s cold can easily spread to another child, and the cold will continue to spread one after another. Therefore, children living in groups have a higher chance of catching a cold.
A. The causes of baby colds can be analyzed from two aspects: internal causes and external causes
The internal causes of baby’s summer cold are.
1, the infant’s own immunity has not yet been perfected leading to its susceptibility to colds.
The immunoglobulin IgA in the mother’s body cannot enter the fetus through the placenta, so there is no IgA in the serum of fetus and newborn, which is only 13% of the adult at the age of 1 year and gradually increases later. Although immunoglobulin IgG and IgM can be passed from the mother to the fetus through the placenta, they are basically depleted in the 5-6 months after the baby is born, and their own ability to produce IgG and IgM is still low, so the level of IgG and IgM in the blood of the baby is low after 5-6 months after birth. Secretory IgA, IgG, IgM have the role of protecting the respiratory mucosa from viral or bacterial infections, because the respiratory mucosa of infants and young children lack these immunoglobulins, resulting in pathogens easy to reproduce in the respiratory mucosa, so infants and young children have more respiratory inflammation and are prone to colds.
2, infants and young children’s physiological characteristics also determine their susceptibility to colds.
The nasal cavity of infants and young children is shorter than that of adults, without nasal hair, the mucous membrane is tender and rich in blood vessels, and when they encounter minor infections, they will have all kinds of cold symptoms. The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity is connected to the mucous membrane of the sinuses, and the mouth of the sinuses is relatively large, so it is easy to cause sinusitis in acute rhinitis. The eustachian tube is wide, straight, short and horizontal, so nasopharyngitis can easily invade the middle ear and cause otitis media. The larynx is funnel-shaped, the laryngeal cavity is narrow, the cartilage is soft, the mucous membrane is tender and rich in blood vessels and lymphatic tissue, so a slight inflammation can cause the larynx to narrow.
The external causes of summer colds in babies are.
1, a variety of viruses and bacteria can cause upper respiratory tract infections, especially viruses are common, accounting for about 90% of the primary infection. With a strong contagious, viral infection, the upper respiratory tract mucosa lost resistance, bacteria can take advantage of the opportunity to invade, complicated by more serious bacterial infection. Among the common viruses, rhinovirus causes about 50% of all colds, followed by coronavirus, adenovirus, coxsackievirus and other enteroviruses. Common bacterial infections with hemolytic streptococcus is the most common, followed by pneumococcus, staphylococcus, H. influenzae, etc..
2, environmental factors lead to children’s organism resistance is often the cause of the cold. In the hot season, children’s clothing is thin and their sweat glands are open. If suddenly enter the air-conditioned room or car, it will make the skin vasoconstriction, sweat gland hole closed, sympathetic excitement, visceral vasoconstriction, gastrointestinal movement weakened, which leads to abdominal pain diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat and other symptoms. In addition, the air conditioning environment is often closed doors and windows, indoor air is not fresh, oxygen is thin, especially the space is relatively small places, people are more likely to get “air conditioning disease”.
In addition, if the baby sweats immediately after the bath with cold water, is also the cause of the cold, to wait until the sweat down, or first dry towels before bathing. In addition, poor indoor ventilation, the relative lack of oxygen, indoor overheating, dry conditions, etc., are very easy to cause children’s respiratory mucosa defense function is reduced, then, the virus or bacteria will take advantage of the situation.
Second, how to prevent summer colds
During childhood, we should pay attention to a balanced diet and eat vegetables, soy products, eggs, fish, meat, milk, fruits, etc. every day. In summer, if you stay in a place with air-conditioning facilities for a long time, make sure to put on thin long-sleeved clothes and pants for your child and take them off when you get outside. Scientific use of air conditioning, electric fans, etc., do not adjust the indoor temperature too low, in general, the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperature does not exceed 7 ℃. In addition, pay attention to take your baby to suitable outdoor activities and ensure sufficient sleep time.
You should not cool down too quickly in the hot summer for a moment of pleasure. Uncontrolled cold food is also an important link that leads to summer colds. Once your baby has a cold, encourage your child to drink more boiled water and seek medical attention in time to avoid complications as much as possible.
Third, how to care for summer colds
1, let the baby more bed rest room temperature is not too low.
After the baby has a cold, the mother should ensure that he has enough time to rest in bed, even in the recovery period, the symptoms have been reduced should also limit the baby’s activities. In addition, it is necessary to ventilate the room frequently to keep the air fresh. When using air conditioning, the room temperature should not be too low, generally it can be maintained at about 26 degrees.
2, give the baby more water.
Due to the difference in the external environment, the loss of body water, the hydration after the summer cold is very important. The most worrying thing for infants and children is “dehydration symptoms”. Whether it is breast milk or milk is plain water, as long as the role of hydration can be played.
3, repeated high fever, cough must seek medical attention.
After a baby has a cold, if it is mild and lasts for about 1-2 days, it can be relieved on its own. However, if repeated high fever does not go away for more than 3 days and is accompanied by chills, headache or even convulsions, and repeated coughing for more than 5 days, you need to go to the hospital promptly.
4. Bathing is not affected.
For feverish babies, a proper warm bath is good for cooling down, as long as you keep the room temperature and do not get cold.