Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, which everyone looks forward to. After a long and cold winter with short days, spring brings new energy and warm weather. Spring is the season when everything begins to bloom and come to life, animals awaken from their winter sleep, trees leaf out, and the days become longer.
Children especially enjoy this season because winter boots, jackets, and warm clothing are taken off, and they can spend more time outdoors due to the longer days. Along with all the nice things, spring also brings various allergic reactions caused by the blooming and awakening of nature, as well as many viruses that have been waiting for warm weather.
Spring is the season dominated by respiratory viruses similar to the flu, affecting the upper and lower respiratory tracts. This time of year is favorable for virus development because of the external temperature, air humidity, and air pollution.
For a virus to cause infection, it needs an entry point, usually the skin or mucous membranes. It is transmitted by droplets or via objects. Common symptoms include runny nose, sore and scratchy throat, cough, elevated temperature, rash, and loss of appetite.
During the year, every child under three years old has had four to six viral infections, most often a cold. It is transmitted by droplets (sneezing and coughing) and can last from two days to two weeks; it is treated symptomatically and is most often caused by the “rhinovirus,” which has over a hundred strains. Additionally, laryngitis, bronchiolitis, and bronchitis are common in children during this period.
Different variations of viral infections can complicate and combine with bacterial infections, especially during the blooming of grasses and trees. Allergies can be a basis for viral and bacterial infections. Bacterial throat infection is usually caused by streptococcus and is typically accompanied by fever and sore throat. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of ear infections, and treatment of these infections requires antibiotics.
What is recommended for this time of year are vitamins and a good diet to develop strong immunity.