Medically Reviewed by Dr Simone Quek (M.B.B.S. Singapore)
Fevers are a common symptom in children and often signal that the body is fighting off an infection. While children’s fever is a natural immune response to illness, it’s understandably concerning for parents. However, there are ways to reduce the frequency and severity of fevers by enhancing your child’s immunity and promoting good hygiene practices.
Preventing illness altogether is always preferable, and by following some key strategies, you can help strengthen your child’s immune system and lower the likelihood of them developing a fever. In this article, we will explore tips for boosting your child’s immunity and maintaining hygiene to keep infections—and fevers—at bay.
Understanding Fevers and the Immune Response in Children
A fever is defined as a temporary increase in body temperature, usually caused by an infection. When your child’s body detects an invader like a virus or bacteria, it responds by raising its internal temperature to create a less favorable environment for the pathogens. While fevers are often harmless and self-limiting, they can cause discomfort and sometimes signal more serious conditions.
The immune system plays a vital role in defending the body against illnesses that can cause fevers. Strengthening this system and promoting good hygiene practices can go a long way in reducing the chances of children having fever.
Boosting Your Child’s Immunity: Key Practices
Children’s immune systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to infections that cause fever. However, there are several ways you can support and boost your child’s immune response.
Encourage a Balanced and Nutrient-Rich Diet
A well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet is crucial for building a strong immune system. Certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidants, play essential roles in immune function. To help your child get the right nutrients:
- Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables: Incorporate colorful produce like berries, citrus fruits, spinach, carrots, and sweet potatoes, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help combat infections.
- Include healthy proteins: Lean meats, fish, eggs, and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils provide essential amino acids that support the immune system.
- Encourage probiotics: Foods rich in probiotics, such as yogurt and kefir, help balance the gut microbiome, which is integral to overall immunity. A healthy gut can help the body fend off harmful bacteria and viruses.
Ensure Adequate Sleep
Sleep is an essential part of immune health. During sleep, the body repairs itself and produces cytokines, proteins that target infections and inflammation. Children require more sleep than adults because their bodies and immune systems are still developing.
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine: Set regular sleep schedules and create a calming bedtime environment to ensure your child gets enough restful sleep.
- Recommended sleep duration: Toddlers (1-2 years) should get 11-14 hours, preschoolers (3-5 years) 10-13 hours, and school-aged children (6-13 years) 9-12 hours of sleep per night.
Keep Your Child Physically Active
Exercise is a great way to keep the immune system strong. Regular physical activity enhances circulation, which helps immune cells move throughout the body more effectively, improving their ability to detect and fight infections.
- Incorporate play: Ensure your child is getting at least one hour of physical activity each day. This could include running, jumping, or engaging in outdoor sports like soccer or swimming.
- Limit sedentary time: While it’s fine for children to relax and watch TV or play video games, try to balance screen time with active play to keep their bodies and immune systems strong.
Ensure Proper Hydration
Water is essential for every function in the body, including the immune system. Staying hydrated helps the body naturally flush out toxins and keep mucous membranes moist, which is critical for preventing infections.
- Encourage regular water intake: Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for at least 6-8 glasses of water for school-aged children, with more for active children or in hot weather.
- Limit sugary drinks: Instead of offering sodas or fruit juices, which can lead to dehydration, focus on water, milk, and occasional fresh fruit juices that are lower in sugar.
Keep Stress Levels in Check
Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making children more susceptible to infections that cause fever. While stress is often unavoidable, you can help your child manage and cope with stress through:
- Creating a supportive environment: Make sure your child feels emotionally supported by maintaining open lines of communication and showing empathy toward their feelings.
- Encouraging relaxation techniques: Activities such as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or creative outlets like drawing or writing can help lower stress levels.
Hygiene Practices to Prevent Infections That Cause Fevers
Boosting immunity is only part of the equation in preventing children fever; maintaining good hygiene habits can significantly reduce the chances of infections spreading in the first place. Teaching your child proper hygiene can create lifelong habits that protect their health.
Teach Effective Handwashing
Handwashing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses that cause fever. Ensure that your child understands the importance of washing their hands regularly, particularly before meals, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
- Handwashing technique: Teach your child to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, ensuring they scrub all parts of their hands, including between their fingers and under their nails.
- Use of hand sanitizer: When soap and water are not available, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) as an alternative.
Avoid Close Contact with Sick Individuals
Children are naturally sociable and may not always understand the risks of being around someone who is unwell. To prevent children fever from exposure to contagious illnesses:
- Keep distance from sick individuals: Encourage your child to avoid close contact with anyone who is showing symptoms of illness, such as coughing, sneezing, or fever.
- Teach proper respiratory etiquette: Help your child learn to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs. Dispose of tissues properly and wash hands afterward.
Maintain Clean and Sanitized Surfaces
Viruses and bacteria can linger on surfaces for hours or even days, increasing the risk of transmission.
- Regular cleaning: Make it a habit to clean frequently-touched surfaces like doorknobs, toys, and countertops with disinfectant wipes or sprays.
- Sanitize toys and gadgets: Children often put toys, gadgets, or other objects into their mouths, which can introduce germs. Regularly clean and sanitize these items, especially after playdates or outings.
Keep Your Child’s Vaccinations Up to Date
Vaccines are an important tool in preventing illnesses that cause fever. The flu vaccine, for example, can help prevent influenza, which is a common cause of fever in children. Keeping up to date with your child’s vaccination schedule not only protects them from preventable diseases but also boosts overall immunity.
When to Seek Medical Attention for Children Fever
Despite your best efforts to boost immunity and maintain hygiene, there may still be times when your child develops a fever. In most cases, fevers resolve on their own, but you should contact a healthcare provider if:
- The fever persists for more than 3 days
- The child appears unusually lethargic or irritable
- They have difficulty breathing, a rash, or persistent vomiting
- They have difficulty drinking fluids
- The fever is above 104°F (40°C), especially in younger children
Protecting Your Child’s Health Starts at Home
Preventing fever in children doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on building a strong immune system and practicing good hygiene, you can reduce the chances of your child falling ill.
A healthy diet, plenty of sleep, physical activity, and stress management will strengthen their immune response, while handwashing, surface cleaning, and vaccinations will help stop infections in their tracks.
For expert advice on protecting your child from fever and other illnesses, visit Keystone Medical. Our pediatric care team is here to provide guidance and ensure your child stays healthy year-round.
References
Stanfordchildrens.org. Fever in Children. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=fever-in-children-90-P02512
Webmd.com. 2023. What to Do When Your Kid Has a Fever. https://www.webmd.com/children/treat-fever-young-children
UCdavis.edu. Tips on Fevers in Children. https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/patient-education/fevers-in-children
Harvard.edu. 2024. Boosting Your Child’s Immune System. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/boosting-your-childs-immune-system-202110122614