Like most kids, our heart kids face the yearly challenge of winter illness, but sometimes with greater difficulty. What can we do now to prepare them for the cold and flu season?
Prevention
While there is no vaccine against the common cold, there are immunizations to help protect against respiratory infections such as flu and pneumonia. Flu and pneumonia pose greater danger for children with heart defects. Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology emphasize the importance of getting a flu shot if you have heart disease. According to the AHA, the best time to get a flu shot is between October and November, but you and your child can still benefit by getting the influenza vaccine in January or even later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last through May. Patients with heart disease should not receive the live, attenuated vaccine given as a nasal spray in FluMist. The live vaccine can cause influenza in some high-risk patients. In some cases, a special monthly immunization for a cold virus (RSV) may be recommended during the winter months. Talk to your child's doctor about the influenza, pneumococcal and RSV vaccines.
As much as possible, avoid anyone who has a cold or the flu. Stay out of crowds during the height of flu season (usually October through March). Remind your child to wash his/her hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. Keep your child's immune system in good shape by eating healthy and getting the right amount of sleep.
Over-the-counter Remedies
Most heart parents are instructed to avoid giving their child any cold medicine that contains decongestants. According to the American Heart Association, decongestants should not be used because they can raise blood pressure. While there are some over-the-counter cold medicines that may be safe, always check with your child's doctor first.
Unfortunately there is little we can do to stop the cold virus but we can provide comfort measures to help with the symptoms of the common cold. Visit WebMD and read the article, "10 Natural Ways to Ease the Common Cold." This article offers great safe tips to help our kids feel better when they do get a cold.
How does cold weather affect the heart?
Children, especially those with heart disease, often have a decreased ability to maintain their normal internal body temperature in very cold, damp, and windy weather. Cold weather has been shown to affect the heart and circulation in many ways. When we breathe cold air into to our lungs, it constricts the blood vessels in our chest area right away. Because those blood vessels are then narrower, the heart must pump harder and beat faster to pump blood in and out. Keep your child warm and dry by dressing him/her in layers of clothing. Layering traps air between the clothing forming a protective insulation. Since heat can be lost through the head, hats and scarves help keep the heat in. Keep hands and feet warm too, as they tend to lose heat quickly. Visit the American Heart Association website and learn more about the dangers of cold weather for those with heart disease.
Have a happy, healthy fall season!
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