Lung Health Week: 5 Simple Steps to a Strong Immune System
From September 21 to 27, “Lung Health Preservation Week” is being held. A child’s respiratory system is still developing, and the immune system is learning to recognize threats. In autumn and winter, children are attacked by more than 200 types of viruses, so our task is to create conditions that will enable the body to resist them.
Doctors at the CRCH remind us: protecting the lungs starts with simple daily habits.
- Maintaining the right microclimate at home.
Too dry and warm air dries out the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, opening the gates to viruses.
Maintain a temperature of +20...+22 °C and a humidity of 40-60%.
Ventilate the room 4-6 times a day for 15 minutes.
- Basic hygiene rules
Teach your child to wash their hands with soap after going outside and using the toilet. Teach them “respiratory etiquette”: sneeze and cough into a tissue or into the crook of your elbow, not into your palm. Regularly wipe down gadgets, door handles, and light switches.
- Routine and physical activity
Outdoor walks and active games stimulate lung ventilation. Adequate sleep is equally important: at least 10 hours for younger schoolchildren and at least 8 hours for teenagers. Chronic sleep deprivation and stress weaken the body’s defences.
- Protection from tobacco smoke
Passive smoking impairs the developing lung function and increases the risk of developing bronchial asthma in children by 40%. Children exposed to tobacco smoke are many times more likely to suffer from bronchitis, pneumonia, and otitis. Protect your children from secondhand smoke!
Take care of the microclimate at home, and your child’s lungs will be reliably protected!