Why Is It Easier For Kids To Get Sick In The Winter?

Every year when winter rolls around, parents prepare for the seemingly inevitable rise in colds and flu that comes with it. Like many other parents, you might supplement your child's balanced diet with products like Wellements organic multivitamin drops to help thwart germs before they take hold. It is also a good idea to learn more about why kids tend to get sicker in the winter than at any other time of year so you can take additional precautions. 

More Enclosed Environments

Many kids spend the majority of their days inside. If your children attend school, they are probably sitting side-by-side with 20 or more kids while the air is continuously recirculated through the building. This is a perfect way to spread airborne germs among a large number of kids. Some schools have countered this by opening windows or encouraging more distance between students. 

Less Physical Activity

Physical activity supports healthy immune function, and kids typically don't move as much in the cold as in warmer weather. Luckily, there are plenty of cold-weather activities to keep your little ones busy. If you live somewhere that supports it, sledding or skiing can all help kids break a sweat.

Low Vitamin D Levels

One of the many amazing things about the human body is its ability to turn sunlight into vitamin D. In addition to helping with calcium absorption, this nutrient is critical to supporting immune function. That's why when kids get plenty of sunshine and fresh air, they are more likely to display strong immune system signs such as increased energy and fewer colds. 

If your kids are indoors more than outside in the winter, try increasing their vitamin D intake. Fortified foods and supplements designed specifically for kids are simple ways to do this. 

Cold Weather

While the old myth that the cold makes you sick has long been debunked, there is some logic behind the concept. It turns out that flu viruses are more stable in the cold and dry weather that many regions experience in winter. Try opening the windows in your home or adding an air purifier to combat this fact since, while they may like the cold, viruses can be quickly dispersed to safer levels by improving airflow. 

Dry Indoor Air

Unfortunately, many home heating systems rely on forced air. This results in an abnormally dry indoor environment that often leads to dry nasal passages. It can also aggravate underlying respiratory conditions like asthma. Adding a humidifier is one way to combat dry air. If a whole-house model is out of range, try adding one to your child's bedroom to help ease breathing while they sleep.  

You are not alone if you notice your kids tend to get sick more in the winter. Increased time indoors surrounded by dry air and germs, lower vitamin D levels, and favorable conditions for viruses to survive combine to make winter the peak of cold and flu season. Work to limit exposure, but if colds strike, reach for safe, natural products like Wellements baby cough syrup to combat symptoms.