captionFlu season is here, which means families need to take extra precautions to keep children from getting sick.sourceGetty
Flu season is here. But Im not all that worried. I have a PhD in immunology and have put that training to good use in protecting my now 5-year-old daughter from getting sick. I take all the standard precautions to safeguard against the sniffles, by vaccinating and practicing sensible hand washing (while still largely avoiding hand sanitizers), but theres still a lot more to do to keep sickness at bay.
One issue that may affect your childs ability to fight infection is a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has a three-fold role in the immune system it fights infections and curbs autoimmune processes as well as inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency increases risks for a number of health issues, including repeatedly falling ill.
The main source of Vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is somewhat common, and worsens in winter when people dont get outside as much.
Between 12% and 24% of infants, children, and adolescents are Vitamin D deficient, with breastfed babies being at a higher risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that in their first year of life, babies get 400 IU of Vitamin D daily. The AAP advises parents to give an oral Vitamin D supplement to breastfeeding infants and to those who consume less than 1 liter of infant formula a day.
By conservative estimates, children and adolescents need 600 IU each day. Its ideal for children and adolescents to get Vitamin D from natural sources, experts say.
If youre concerned that your child isnt getting enough from sunlight exposure, or is showing warning signs like being tired or falling ill often, consult your pediatrician about a potential Vitamin D deficiency.
I give my daughter the recommended dose all year round with a probiotic called BioGaia that is fortified with Vitamin D.
Omega 3s play a crucial role in brain and vision development, and were just beginning to understand the role they play in the immune system. As with most things, getting some but not too much is prudent. Ensuring your childs diet has some omega 3s, either regularly through food including wild-caught salmon and walnuts or supplementing periodically is a good idea. A breastfeeding mom should also eat a generous amount of foods containing omega 3s so that the nutrients are transferred to the baby.
Part of my childs regular maintenance protocol is taking a probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, marketed as Biogaia. Originally discovered in breastmilk, part of its potential protective mechanism is the broad spectrum of antibiotic (reuterin) it produces, which may limit colonization by pathogenic bacteria.
In small research studies, it has been shown to protect against both GI tract and respiratory infections, reduce colic in breastmilk fed infants, and potentially protect against cavities. Taken together, the evidence suggests the probiotic microorganism may improve health in a variety of contexts.
Given the limited evidence, there is no recommendation for regular use. But since Biogaias safety is well-established and the cost is reasonable (about $30 for a two-month supply), I elected to give it regularly to my child since birth, and will continue doing so. (Be aware: the majority of probiotics have minimal to no research to back up their claims).
Turmeric has been used for medicinal purposes in India for centuries. As modern science is now discovering, its main component curcumin has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties. It could potentially help in fending off both viral and bacterial infections and combat the deleterious effects of inflammation.
However, drinking a turmeric extract in water (in say, a latte or smoothie) is close to useless because it absorbs poorly when dissolved in water. What little is absorbed is then rapidly eliminated by the liver.
Turmeric should be dissolved in oil, ideally, for absorption. For maximum effect, pair it with piperine, a component of black pepper that prevents the rapid elimination.
When my daughter is ill, I serve her either a home-brew of turmeric in coconut oil with black pepper (taken with manuka honey, milk, or both), or a supplement that contains liposome-encapsulated turmeric plus piperine three to four times a day until her fever breaks.
Elderberry extracts have also been used medicinally for centuries. In studies in vitro, and in mice, and humans, elderberry has been shown to help reduce the severity and length of the flu, and can help in fighting other viral infections too.
Some parents go so far as to give elderberry to their children every day. However, this is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous: Elderberry has medicinal properties that could actually interfere with normal functioning. For example, elderberry extracts inhibit functioning of ribosomes, which are required for protein production. They may exacerbate autoimmune diseases and their long-term safety has not been studied.
Consult with your pediatrician to determine the appropriate dose for your child.
How has all this helped? While it is impossible to be sure, I can say for certain that my daughter has never had ear infections, colic, or constipation. Weve almost never had an infection that required antibiotics. Illness rarely strikes, and when it does, it subsides quickly. We have gone years without a fever, and when it comes, it usually resolves within 24 hours.
Thats good enough for me.
Here is the original post:
I have a PhD in immunology and this is how I keep my daughter from getting sick during the winter - Business Insider
- Another immunology biotech emerges as Hillstar takes flight with $67M - Endpoints News - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Alumnus discovers passion for immunology, teaching at Mercer - Mercer University - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- The future of immunology - Johnson & Johnson - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Immunotherapys Sweet Future: Wrapping up AACR IO 2025 With Glyco-immunology - American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- J&J receives three CHMP recommendations for immunology and oncology indications - PMLiVE - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greater Austin Allergy, Asthma & Immunology now open in the Shops at the Galleria - Community Impact - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- As dengue spreads, researchers discover a clue to fighting the virus - La Jolla Institute for Immunology - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Astria Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and World Allergy Organization Joint Congress - Business... - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- PhD candidate Jesse Lehman receives Kirschstein Award to study immunology - UMass Medical School - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Cross-priming in cancer immunology and immunotherapy - Nature.com - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- Sanofi Happy To Spend To Hit Immunology Top Spot - News & Insights - February 3rd, 2025 [February 3rd, 2025]
- The Converging Therapeutic Landscape of Oncology and Immunology: Accelerating Innovation in Biotech - MedCity News - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- VC Firm Foresite Capital Dishes on Biotech Innovation in China, Opportunities in Immunology - MedCity News - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Immunology - The Scientist - January 23rd, 2025 [January 23rd, 2025]
- Immunology Startup Ouro Sets Out With $120M for Drugs That Reset the Immune System - MedCity News - January 15th, 2025 [January 15th, 2025]
- Scipher Medicine and Atropos Health Partner to Accelerate Precision Medicine and Expand the Immunology Multimodal Network - Business Wire - December 23rd, 2024 [December 23rd, 2024]
- AbbVie to expand immunology pipeline with $200m Nimble Therapeutics acquisition - PMLiVE - December 23rd, 2024 [December 23rd, 2024]
- Sir Gustav Nossal Professor of Immunology to honour giant of Australian science - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research - December 9th, 2024 [December 9th, 2024]
- Research Assistant in Immunology - Surrey, United Kingdom job with UNIVERSITY OF SURREY | 384335 - Times Higher Education - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Reflecting on Pioneering organoids and 3D cell cultures for animal and human health - British Society for Immunology | - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Innate Pharma Announces Publication in Science Immunology Highlighting Innovative Next-generation ANKET - Business Wire - November 20th, 2024 [November 20th, 2024]
- TRexBio Announces $84 Million Series B Financing to Advance Pipeline of First-in-Class Immunology Programs into Clinical Development - Business Wire - November 20th, 2024 [November 20th, 2024]
- Discovering Solutions for Long COVID: A T-Cell Immunology Breakthrough - Infection Control Today - November 20th, 2024 [November 20th, 2024]
- Innate Pharma Announces Publication in Science Immunology Highlighting Innovative Next-generation ANKET IPH6501 - The Bakersfield Californian - November 20th, 2024 [November 20th, 2024]
- Immunology Data Shows INOVIO's INO-3107 Induced Expansion of New Clonal T Cells That Infiltrate Airway Tissue and Correspond With Reduction of... - November 20th, 2024 [November 20th, 2024]
- What it's like in allergy and immunology: Shadowing Dr. Fraser - American Medical Association - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Dr. Naba Sharif Elected President of the New Jersey Allergy Asthma and Immunology Society - Newswire - November 12th, 2024 [November 12th, 2024]
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology Named a National Milestones Program - Stony Brook News - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Astria Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting - businesswire.com - October 26th, 2024 [October 26th, 2024]
- Remembering immunology educator, researcher Tom McDonald, PhD - University of Nebraska Medical Center - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Systems immunology approaches to study T cells in health and disease - Nature.com - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Leading the charge to discover answers in immunology - The University of Arizona - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- New mouse models offer valuable window into COVID-19 infection - La Jolla Institute for Immunology - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Wide-Moat AbbVie Poised for Growth, Driven by Innovation in Immunology Beyond Humira - Morningstar - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Lilly's immunology unit scores another FDA nod with eczema treatment Ebglyss - FiercePharma - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Huang Named Head Of Pathology And Immunology - Mirage News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Huang named head of pathology & immunology - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Apogee Therapeutics to Participate at the Stifel 2024 Immunology and Inflammation Summit - Yahoo Finance - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Eliem Therapeutics to Participate at the Stifel 2024 Virtual Immunology and Inflammation Summit - StockTitan - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- UCLA receives $120 million from Alya and Gary Michelson for new California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy - UCLA Newsroom - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Boosting vaccines for the elderly with 'hyperactivators' - Boston Children's Answers - Boston Children's Discoveries - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Immunologists Want You to Know These Dust Mite Allergy Facts - Yahoo Lifestyle UK - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- How Ragon Institute's new building aids its mission Harvard Gazette - Harvard Gazette - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Insights into CRS and NPs: Visual and Bibliometric Analysis - Physician's Weekly - June 27th, 2024 [June 27th, 2024]
- Biogen joins immunology wave with $1.15 billion acquisition of HI-Bio - STAT - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Biogen Buys Desired Growth In Immunology With $1.15bn Hi-Bio Deal - Scrip - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Biogen Boosts Immunology Portfolio with $1.8 Billion Acquisition of HI-Bio - BioPharm International - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Owkin Unveils AI-Driven Oncology and Immunology Pipeline, In-Licenses Best-in-Class Asset OKN4395 - Yahoo Finance - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Biogen to expand immunology and rare disease portfolio with $1.8bn HI-Bio acquisition - PMLiVE - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Astria Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Congress - Business Wire - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Biogen to buy Human Immunology Biosciences in deal worth up to $1.8B - MM+M Online - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- COVID-19 Re-Vaccinations Elicit Neutralizing Antibodies Against Future Variants - Technology Networks - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- HIV Vaccine Candidate Induces Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies in Humans - Technology Networks - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Pasteur Fiocruz Center on Immunology and Immunotherapy is inaugurated in Cear - Fiocruz - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Biogen to buy Human Immunology Biosciences in up to $1.8 billion deal - Marketscreener.com - May 24th, 2024 [May 24th, 2024]
- Fellow Focus in Four: Marat Kribis, MD, Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology - Yale School of Medicine - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Long COVID Can Now Be Detected in the Blood - Technology Networks - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]
- Rimjhim Agarwal selected as Major Symposium speaker at the American Association of Immunologists ... - La Jolla Institute for Immunology - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Seeking new horizons: Where innovators find opportunities in a fast-changing immunology landscape - IQVIA - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Researchers identify new way to inhibit immune cells that drive allergic asthma - EurekAlert - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Innovation in Oncology and Cancer Immunology Research - Boehringer Ingelheim - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Measles outbreaks show the risk of under-vaccination | News | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - HSPH News - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Immunology-oncology ELISA Kits Market to Witness a Healthy Growth by 2030 - WhaTech - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Spring Allergy Season Is Getting Worse. Here's What to Know. - The New York Times - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Multiple sclerosis has distinct subtypes, study finds, pointing to different treatments - STAT - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Researchers identify viable vaccine targets for hepatitis C infections - News-Medical.Net - March 29th, 2024 [March 29th, 2024]
- Three research projects awarded funding from the Immunology Institute Pilot Project program - University of Alabama at Birmingham - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Deal Watch: AbbVie Adds To Immunology Pipeline Through Deal With OSE - Scrip - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- AbbVie and Tentarix Announce Collaboration to Develop Conditionally-Active, Multi-Specific Biologics for Oncology ... - PR Newswire - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Integrating single-cell multi-omics and prior biological knowledge for a functional characterization of the immune system - Nature.com - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Renowned immunologist and four-decade UAB researcher Max Cooper, M.D., will deliver this year's Marx Lecture - University of Alabama at Birmingham - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Inactivation of TGF- signaling in CAR-T cells | Cellular & Molecular Immunology - Nature.com - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Babies use their immune system differently but efficiently | Cornell Chronicle - Cornell Chronicle - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Antibody reduces allergic reactions to multiple foods in NIH clinical trial - National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Mestag Therapeutics Enlists Leading Cancer Biology and Immunology Advisors to Support Clinical Development of its ... - GlobeNewswire - February 21st, 2024 [February 21st, 2024]
- Theratechnologies announces publication in Frontiers in Immunology on TH1902 - TipRanks.com - TipRanks - February 21st, 2024 [February 21st, 2024]
- Smoking has long-term effects on the immune system - Institut Pasteur - February 21st, 2024 [February 21st, 2024]
- Spring Allergies Attack More Than Just Your Nose - ACAAI Public Website - American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology - February 21st, 2024 [February 21st, 2024]
- Theratechnologies Announces Publication in Frontiers in Immunology that Deepens Understanding of Sudocetaxel ... - GlobeNewswire - February 21st, 2024 [February 21st, 2024]
- Shikhar Mehrotra named co-leader of Cancer Biology and Immunology research program at MUSC Hollings - The Cancer Letter - January 27th, 2024 [January 27th, 2024]