Kids never seem to get sick at convenient times — it’s often right before an important event or late at night. Knowing whether they need a doctor’s visit can be unclear. If your child needs a doctor’s note, or you have health concerns, Maple is available 24/7 to connect you with licensed Canadian doctors.
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Cold and flu season can feel like an endless cycle, but there are ways to help protect your children. Here’s how to keep them healthy this winter and tips for what to do if they still catch something.
How to Keep Your Kids from Getting Sick
Winter doesn’t have to mean a series of illnesses. Here are some of the ways to help keep your kids healthy:
1. Stay Up to Date with Vaccinations
The flu shot is a good defense against severe illness from flu strains. Although it doesn’t completely prevent flu, it helps the immune system recognize and fight the virus, lowering the chance of complications.
2. Prioritize Healthy Eating
Balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats support the immune system. For children with limited diets, a dietitian can help ensure they get necessary nutrients.
3. Supplement with Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for immune health, but it’s hard to get from sunlight and food alone. Many Canadian kids benefit from a vitamin D supplement.
4. Promote Proper Hand Hygiene
Viruses can live on surfaces for days, transferring to the mouth, nose, or eyes. Encourage good handwashing to reduce this risk.
5. Consider Masking in Indoor Public Spaces
Masks are effective in reducing exposure to cold and flu viruses, along with COVID-19, when used in public indoor areas.
6. Encourage Giving Friends Space
Colds and flu spread through close contact. Remind children not to share drinks or utensils with friends.
7. Support Good Sleep Habits
Sleep supports immune health. A consistent sleep schedule and limiting screen time before bed can encourage rest.
Helping Your Child Recover Comfortably
Even careful kids may still get sick. If they do, focus on rest to support recovery. You can also make them more comfortable by:
- Keeping them hydrated to ease congestion
- Running a cool mist humidifier with purified water
- Using a quality nasal aspirator for children who can’t blow their noses
- Using saline spray to help clear nasal passages
Medications for Cold and Flu Symptoms
For children, fever-reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help with fever, sore throat, and headaches. Avoid giving Aspirin to children under 18 as it can cause Reye’s Syndrome. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viral infections like colds or the flu. The information contained in this article is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a doctor prior to administering any medication. Maple offers convenient virtual care so you can consult a doctor anytime and get a prescription if needed. Having access to a licensed healthcare provider whenever you need one can ease your concerns and help your child feel better, faster.
Persons insured with an ivari Critical Illness (CI) policy have access to covered general practitioner visits through Maple. CI Policyholders can visit getmaple.ca/ivari to create an account. Those who already have a Maple account can sign in to access care within minutes, as well as search for health information and read helpful articles like this one.
These tips originally appeared in an article from Maple’s blog: https://www.getmaple.ca/blog/how-to-keep-your-kids-healthy-this-winter/
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