Have you had a late summer or early fall cold yet? Unfortunately, with younger kids in daycare or getting back to in person learning, the viruses that we all got a break from during quarantine, have started to recirculate. While it’s not fun to deal with sick kids (or grownups), these little bugs are actually good for creating immune memory to fight off future infections and for helping those little bodies have immune regulation later in life.
Ideally, with exposure to the typical annual colds and flus, the immune system should navigate away from issues like autoimmunity, allergies, and asthma. There is still a lot that is not understood about the mechanisms behind this exact part of immunity, but studies are showing that these exposures help “teach” our immune systems what to properly respond to. In a perfect situation, that is colds and flus, and NOT self (autoimmunity) or the environment (allergies and asthma).
So the big question is what can we do to help during these common colds. Here are some great ideas to get you started. As always, seek individualized care for what is happening in your or your children’s bodies.
- Vitamin D
- Probiotics
- Elderberry syrup
- Zinc lozenges
- A well balanced diet (avoiding mucus producing dairy and sugar)
- Eat the rainbow with lots of vegetables and moderate amount of fruits
- Wash hands and frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs and sink handles)
- B12 shots are offered in clinic to support your system