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Some children seem to have colds and fevers throughout the year, and they have to see a doctor several times a month. Parents can’t help but worry: “My child is often sick. Is his immunity system too weak?” In fact, resistance to sickness is often said to be related to the body’s immunity.
What is low immunity?
In the eyes of most people, low immunity means that they often get sick, but this is only a superficial phenomenon. Immune hypoxia can be divided into three situations: congenital hypoimmunity, acquired secondary hypoimmunity and physiological hypoimmunity. The first two are pathological and require treatment. Physiological hypoimmunity generally does not require treatment.
Congenital hypoimmunity, also known as immunodeficiency in medicine, is due to the loss of original functions of one or more components of the immune system due to genetic mutations and other factors, resulting in hypoimmunity and serious illness. This type of disease occurs in a relatively small proportion of children with weakened immune systems, and the disease is generally more severe and lasts longer.
Acquired secondary immunodeficiency, as the name implies, is the immunodeficiency caused by some other factors. After removing the cause of the immunodeficiency, the immune function can often be restored. The causes of acquired secondary immunodeficiency are common in infections, drugs, malnutrition and other diseases.
Physiologically weakened immunity is actually a process of human survival and is not a pathological condition. Similar to the development of human intelligence, no one will or should not require children to have the same intelligence as adults. Similarly, we cannot expect young children to have the same immunity as adults.
What kind of children may be immunocompromised?
There are two main sources of immunity. One is that after illness, the human body produces special antibodies against this pathogen. When this pathogen re-invades, the antibody can combine with white blood cells to kill the pathogen, thereby avoiding illness. Some of this immunity can last for a long time (such as measles antibodies), and some are temporary (such as cold antibodies). After being vaccinated, the body will actively produce immunity when stimulated. This immunity is generally lifelong.
The second source of immunity is “passive”. For example, newborns (babies within one month of birth) receive many antibodies from their mothers to produce immunity; another example is the injection of immunoglobulin (ie antibodies against certain diseases), which may temporarily inhibit certain few diseases effect.
Generally, you can consider whether you have a weakened immune system when you have the following symptoms:
·Recurring illnesses, such as sepsis, pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, diarrhea, skin infections, etc., especially severe infections. Most of these are caused by bacterial or viral infections.
·The treatment effect is not good after the disease, and the disease does not heal for a long time.
·Serious infection occurred after normal vaccination.
·Long-term use of drugs that may affect immune function.
·Children with malignant diseases such as tumors and leukemia.
For children who are suspected of having a weakened immune system, the first question is to find out which of the three above-mentioned immune weakened children belong to. This requires an experienced doctor to make a diagnosis with the help of an effective examination. The diagnosis of immunodeficiency requires more systematic laboratory testing conditions. At present, several common genetic diagnosis of innate immunity has been carried out in China. It is very important to clarify the type of immunodeficiency for the treatment of the disease.
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What should I do if I have low immunity?
Innate immunity
The treatment of congenital hypoimmunity requires different measures according to the condition. Generally, the treatment is difficult and the treatment is also long-term. At present, there are effective methods for certain congenital hypoimmunity. Because innate immunity is mostly caused by genetic mutations, it is hereditary.
Acquired secondary immunodeficiency
The key to acquired secondary immunodeficiency is to remove the cause of immunodeficiency. Many viral or bacterial infections can damage the immune system, an extreme example is AIDS. As long as the infection can be effectively removed, most of the immune function will gradually recover.
Some drugs used to treat diseases may affect the function of the immune system, so changing or discontinuing drugs that cause low immunity is the key; malnutrition can also affect the development and maturity of the immune system, causing low immunity. Many other diseases may also affect the immune system, such as children with congenital heart disease. When the heart malformation is corrected, the situation of repeated infections will be significantly improved.
Whether it is congenital immunocompromised or acquired secondary immunocompromised, systemic treatment is required. Many children who are suspected of being immunocompromised are often physiologically immunocompromised. For such children, correct understanding and handling are very important.
Physiological immunity
Physiologically weakened immunity is generally not as serious as the above-mentioned two kinds of weakened immunity. The infection is mainly the upper respiratory tract, such as a cold, rather than severe infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
In addition, many children often show that they tend to catch colds after they first enter nurseries, kindergartens, and schools. This is because children have increased opportunities and types of exposure to various bacteria and viruses in collective life. Just as some children may undergo psychological changes after they arrive in a new environment, this requires an adaptation process, which usually takes about a year.
Physiologically weakened immunity is a normal phenomenon that everyone must experience in the process of growing up. Because from the moment a baby is born, the body’s immune system, like other body systems, also undergoes a process of development and maturity. Compared with adults, children are more susceptible to colds, this is because the child has a physiologically weakened immune system.
There are many similarities between the development and maturity of the human immune system and the development and maturity of the nervous system. In the process of constant “trial and error”, children can exercise their intelligence. In fact, no child never makes mistakes. The same is true for the immune system. Through constant contact with external substances, the immune system will also be exercised and mature normally. Of course, the normal maturation process of the immune system may vary from person to person and is affected by various physical conditions. Therefore, there are a small number of children with immunocompromised symptoms that are more prominent, last longer, and get more serious and frequent illnesses, which are close to pathologically immunocompromised. This situation requires certain medical guidance and appropriate treatment.
10 ways to boost your child’s immunity
The child’s immune system is not yet strong, which is why a child in the kindergarten has a cold, and others may catch a cold. It is estimated that the number of colds and colds in young children is 6-10 times a year.
As they grow, the immune function of children gradually matures. The antibody concentration of immune serum in children over 3 years old is closer to that of adults. After they turn 8 years, The resistance of the entire immune system is equivalent to that of adults.
The immune system is responsible for defending the body from infectious pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. It can be said to be the body’s security guard. Without relying on drugs, the following 10 tips can protect your child’s immune system and make it work best.
1. Drink more water
Drinking plenty of water can keep the mucous membranes moist and become an important line of defense against bacteria. Children under 80 pounds (about 36 kilograms) should drink 250cc of water per 10 pounds of body weight per day (that is, children weighing 18 kilograms should drink 1000cc of water per day).
In order to stay healthy, children should understand the importance of drinking water as much as possible. When you go to school or go out, let your children carry a water bottle and keep a bottle of water in the car at any time. It is stipulated that everyone should drink water during dinner.
2. Don’t have to be too clean
The immune system can form an immune memory against infectious pathogens. If you encounter them again, you can quickly eliminate them. If your home is too clean, your child will not have the opportunity to produce antibodies through infection, and the resistance will weaken, which may lead to allergies and autoimmunity. Imbalance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that antibacterial cleaning products will make the problem of microbial resistance more serious; and the American Medical Association also urges the public to avoid using cleaning products containing antibacterial ingredients, because these products may be a source of resistant microorganisms. Generally soap and water can achieve the cleaning effect.
3. Teach children to wash their hands
Although it is too antibacterial and clean and unhealthy, it is still necessary to cultivate children’s basic hygiene habits, especially washing hands after going to the toilet, to prevent diarrhea or urinary tract infections and other diseases.
4. Ensure they get enough sleep
Poor sleep will reduce the number of T cells in the body that are responsible for dealing with viruses and tumors, and increase the chance of getting sick. Experts suggest that a growing child needs 8 to 10 hours of sleep a day. If your child does not sleep enough at night, let him take a nap during the day.
5. Discuss with your child the ability of the body to self-heal
Let the child understand the self-healing power of the body. When the child catches a cold or bruises, pay attention to the speed of his recovery, so that the child will learn to believe in his body’s instincts and not rely too much on drugs. A study published in the American Academy of Rheumatology in 2000 pointed out that if the parents of children with chronic diseases often discuss the disease with their children and emphasize their weakness, they will make them more anxious.
6. Get in touch with other children
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2000, children under the age of 13 who get along with older siblings or children in nurseries at a young age will reduce their chances of getting asthma in the future by half.
Research host Dr. White pointed out that by contacting other children and being exposed to the infectious agent, they can stimulate the child’s immune response, strengthen his immune system, and reduce the chance of asthma in response to allergens.
7. Reduce Sugar intake
Some experts believe that a diet high in sugar will interfere with the immune function of white blood cells.
8. Supplement EFAs (essential fatty acids)
EFAs can provide important components of cell membranes and determine the flow and elasticity of cell membranes, which are very important for immune cells. The human body cannot synthesize EFAs by itself. It can only be ingested from natural foods including seafood, fruits and vegetables, such as salmon, herring, sardines and other deep-sea fish; walnuts, almonds and other nuts; linseed oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil also contain EFAs. But it should be noted that certain oils such as linseed oil need to avoid high-temperature frying, and it is best to add them directly to the cooked food.
9. Relief their stress
Studies have pointed out that the greater the pressure, the easier it is to catch a cold. Teach children the techniques of relaxation, arrange activities appropriately, and don’t let stress overwhelm the child’s immunity.
10. Eat more fruits and vegetables
Modern children are prone to a partial eclipse, and unbalanced nutrition will cause the lung and digestive tract mucosa to become thinner, reduce antibodies, and affect the body’s defense function.
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which can increase the number of bacteriophages; strengthen the vitality of natural killer cells; build and maintain mucous membranes and collagen tissues to help wound healing.
Carrots and other dark orange fruits and vegetables such as mangoes and sweet potatoes are rich in β-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in the human body. Vitamin A can maintain the integrity of epithelial cells and mucosal tissues, reduce infection; improve antibody response, promote white blood cell production; and participate in the capture of free radicals that destroy cells.
Other fruits and vegetables that can nourish the immune system include tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and shiitake mushrooms.
Reducing pollution guarantees to improve immunity
The Canadian Health Organization survey shows that 68% of diseases are related to indoor pollution, and 80-90% of cancer cases are related to the living environment and living habits.
These pollutants include air pollutants that enter the room, such as sand, dust, heavy metals, ozone, nitrogen oxides, etc.; the body’s own metabolism and volatile components of various domestic wastes, such as dust, dander, cotton wool, fiber, and heavy metals , Body odor, various parasites, mites, germs, viruses, fungi, molds, etc.; pollution from pets, such as odors, parasites, bacteria, hair, crumbs; cigarette smoke; building materials such as formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, Ozone and radioactive substances, radon, etc.; daily necessities such as cosmetics, pesticides, sprays, detergents, etc.
Ways to prevent pollution:
1. Open doors and windows regularly for ventilation. At least twice a day, choose a time period with low air pollution such as 9-11 am and 3-5 pm, each time not less than 45 minutes to ensure air circulation in the child’s room.
2. Take children to parks and green spaces with fresh air to do outdoor sports and activities. This will enhance their physical fitness and improve immunity.
3. Home decoration should be added to the home with careful consideration. Not all plants are suitable for children as some may be causing allergies and reactions in children.
4. Disinfect your home at least once a week with natural disinfectants such as spraying white vinegar or eco friendly disinfectants. This will help to reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms in your home.
5. Encourage your children to eat more vegetables, fruits, kelp, liver, salmon fish and other foods with anti-pollution functions.
6. Maintain regular physical exercises to enhance the ability of your child’s immunity against pollution.
Attention parents: Now there are many health care products or foods on the market claim to improve child’s immunity. This should be said to be a a good phenomenon, because it shows that the whole society is generally concerned about children’s health. But many products may have not gone through rigorous scientific research and tests, therefore may be misleading to parents. And some can cause adverse consequences. If in doubt, always consult with your doctor or pediatrician.
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Very well written post👏👏👏
You have defined acquired and innate immunity so well ❤❤
Thank you very much dear!