How to preserve children’s health in autumn — advice from the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan published advice from Dilobar Hidoyatova, the chief pediatrician of the Tashkent Health Department, on how to preserve children’s health during the cold autumn period.

Hygiene

Children are in contact with many people at school, kindergarten, and in public transport, which creates favorable conditions for the spread of viruses. In this regard, the specialist advises:

• wash hands with soap before and after meals, as well as after going to the bathroom;
• avoid close contact with patients with acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI).
• The child should also wash their face and hands daily, brush their teeth twice a day, and change their clothes regularly.

The specialist also advised not to go outside during the illness, as with the onset of autumn and the decrease in temperature, influenza and ARVI viruses spread through airborne droplets. If a child has symptoms of a cold, they should stay at home to avoid infecting others.

Clothing

In the autumn-winter period, the weather begins to change more frequently. The specialist advised:

• to dress according to the season — not too easy, but not too warm;
• not to wear wet clothes and immediately change them.

Nutrition and immunity

To strengthen the child’s immunity, it’s important to monitor their nutrition. The diet must contain:

• more fruits, vegetables, herbs, dairy and fish products, chicken meat, eggs, legumes;
• Warming drinks with ginger, lemon, honey;
• It is advisable to exclude sweets, carbonated and energy drinks, chips, and crackers.

Sleep and rest mode

ДетяSchool-age children are recommended to sleep 8−10 hours a day. This strengthens the immune system and improves academic performance. Therefore:м школьного возраста рекомендуется спать по 8−10 часов в сутки. Это укрепляет иммунитет и повышает успеваемость. Поэтому:

• it is important to ensure that children go to bed early and do not use gadgets before bedtime;
• It is advisable to accustom the child to lying down and getting up at the same time.

Earlier, it was reported that the countries of Central Asia would begin protecting children together. EU and CA Commissioners for Children’s Rights convened a forum in Tashkent.