Means to Boost lmmunity of Our Students

by; Dr Magdy Badran, Consultant Ped Immunology

CAIRO, Sept. 29 (SEE) - General recommendations to increase immunity of our students : sleep well, drink plenty of water , eat well balanced meals and be away from smoking.

The mucosal immune system is responsible for protecting the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory tract, nasal passages, and the intestines. To increase the mucosal immunity, we should encourage our children to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. They should eat a variety of fruit and vegetables as this will make sure they get  full range of vitamins and minerals.

Parents should Make sure their  growing children are getting enough iron. Good sources of iron include wholegrain cereals , leafy green vegetables such as spinach , pulses ,dried apricots and figs . Eating foods containing vitamin C with iron-rich foods might make it easier to absorb iron from our food. Vitamin C is an antioxidant ,and it increases immunity. It is present in kiwi , lemon and orange.

Vitamin A is an immunostimulant , good sources of it include carrots , cantaloupe and yellow pepper .

Vitamin D is an immunostimulant also , it is present in the flesh of fish "such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel" and fish liver and olive oil .

Zinc is required for the functions of over 300 enzymes  involved in many important processes in your bodies. Zinc plays a central role in the immune system, and zinc-deficient persons experience increased susceptibility to a variety of pathogens. Some people are at risk of a zinc deficiency, including young children and teenagers. Zinc also functions as an antioxidant and can stabilize membranes. Food rich in zinc include red meat , eggs, nuts, seafood, seeds, wheat germ, and whole grains.

Most kids don't get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can hamper physical and mental health . Children aged 5-12 need 10 hours of sleep each night. Children aged 10-18 need 9.5 hours per night .

One of the most important measure for preventing the spread of infectious diseases is effective hand washing with soap , it is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs , keep people healthy and saves lives.

Breakfast increases math and reading scores of  children , improves speed and memory in cognitive tests , decreases discipline and psychological problems and decreases visits to school nurses.

Parents need to Remind their children not to share food with their colleagues .This will decrease the spread of microbes among the students , and will prevent the occurrence of food allergy.

Regular physical activity in childhood and adolescence is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being , preventing various health conditions ,improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

About one in 10 children has bronchial asthma . It is preferable that school have Asthma action plan, which plays a key part in helping children to stay in control of their asthma, It should include what medicine to use to treat asthma symptoms , what medication to use as a pretreatment before exercise, emergency telephone numbers and a list of things that make child's asthma worse.