Many parents mistakenly believe that summer is a time when children's immunity is strengthened by sun and warmth. However, the hot season does not guarantee protection from viruses and infections. Kazakh pediatrician Nurzhamal Aubakirova explained why doctor's offices do not empty during the summer months, what specific threats children face, and whether air conditioning is to blame for colds, reports infohub.kz.
According to the doctor, there is a seasonality: there are viruses that are most common in summer. These are enteroviruses and adenoviruses. In addition, in summer, children have more contacts: they visit public places more often and interact with each other more. This includes pools, playrooms, playgrounds, and entertainment centers. The more interaction, the higher the chance of encountering an infection.
The third factor is poor hygiene. In summer, this issue comes to the forefront. Unwashed hands, poorly washed fruits and vegetables, swimming in polluted water bodies, and insufficiently thermally processed foods can all cause intestinal infections and food poisoning.
Aubakirova also debunked the myth that cold air can make you sick. Air conditioning and ventilation themselves do not cause illness. Illness is caused by viruses and bacteria, not cool air.
Earlier, the pediatrician said that popular "Stopdiar" and "Enterofuril" are useless for childhood vomiting and diarrhea.