Children face rising respiratory illness rates as cooler temperatures arrive, prompting pediatricians to advise families on prevention and symptom monitoring.
UT Health East Texas said that as weather cools and kids spend extra time indoors, households frequently experience a rise in respiratory illnesses and other infections. Edilisa Ong, MD, pediatrician with UT Health East Texas Physicians, answered five common questions about helping children stay healthy throughout the fall and winter months.
The most common illnesses in children during fall and winter are respiratory infections, including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. Clinics are also seeing an influx of strep infections, ear infections, and diarrheal diseases.
For respiratory illnesses, children typically present with persistent fevers, a nasty cough, nasal congestion, and sore throats. Accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea may also occur.
Simple good hygiene habits and behaviors can make a difference and prevent the spread of common illnesses, according to Ong. Instructing kids on proper hand hygiene using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds serves as a vital practice, particularly prior to meals and following coughs, sneezes, or nose blowing.
Another prevention method involves teaching proper cough etiquette. This includes covering coughs or sneezes, throwing away used tissues, and turning away or distancing themselves from others.
When kids are sick, they should not share utensils with other family members. They should also stay home to prevent the spread of illness.
Use Vaccinations to Shield Children from Infectious Diseases
Vaccination is critical during respiratory illness season. Ong described it as the most powerful shield against serious and life-threatening childhood diseases.
“If there is a gift that we can give to our kids to protect them from most infectious diseases, it is going to be through vaccinations,” Ong told UT Health East Texas.
Parents should ensure children are up to date with vaccinations, most importantly pneumococcal and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines. For the fall and winter, Ong strongly recommends the influenza vaccine, especially for high-risk children.
High-risk groups include children younger than two years old, those with chronic lung diseases like asthma, those with heart conditions, and those with weak immune systems or receiving chemotherapy. Ong also recommends the RSV antibody shot for infants younger than eight months experiencing their first RSV season, and for patients older than eight months who face a high risk for severe disease.
Vaccinating children serves as an act of shared protection. Protection extends beyond the vaccinated child to surrounding individuals, including the elderly and immunocompromised.
Nutrition, physical activity, and sleep support a child’s immune system. Ong emphasized the need for a nutritious, well-balanced diet including whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
Families should encourage physical activity through weekend park walks or sports. Setting good sleep hygiene and limiting evening screen time improves sleep quality and helps restore morning energy.
Targeting these three health pillars strengthens individual immune systems and positively impacts physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Teaching children healthy diet, exercise, and sleep habits early helps them carry those routines into adulthood.
Protect Against Respiratory Illnesses and Prioritize Immunizations
- Respiratory Protection: Common cold and flu season brings risks of influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, alongside strep and ear infections. Hand hygiene and staying home when sick remain vital.
- Immunization Priorities: Annual flu shots, pneumococcal vaccines, and pertussis boosters protect high-risk populations, including infants and children with chronic asthma or heart conditions.
Consult a Doctor for Worrisome or Troubling Symptoms
Families ought to contact and consult their pediatrician if youngsters exhibit concerning signs such as high-grade or lingering fevers, escalating congestion and cough, excessive drowsiness, a refusal to eat, or reduced urination.
Any child exhibiting signs of troubled breathing—such as fast breathing, chest pulling, head bobbing, grunting, or lips turning pale or blue—requires immediate evaluation in an emergency room or urgent care facility.
Edilisa Ong practices at UT Health East Texas Physicians Fifth Street Pediatrics. To learn more or make an appointment, visit UT Health East Texas or call 903-590-5000.
References
- UT Health East Texas Physicians Clinical Guidance on Seasonal Pediatric Illnesses.
