Six Reasons Why Children Need Extra Protection in Today's World

MychildrenoftenfeelthatIgooverboardwhenitcomestotheirprotectionfromgerms,butbeingamotheroftwo,Iknowthatachildfallingsickissomethingthatgivesnightmarestoeveryparent.However,sincechildrenaremoresusceptibletoillnesses,andoftentendtogetafflictedbysomeailmentortheother,thereisagrowingneedtoprotectthem.Forthis,itisimportanttoknowsomeofthereasonsourchildrenneedextraprotectionintoday’sworld,andwhyitisnecessaryforustobeabitmorecautious:InthisarticleWeakImmuneSystemMoreExposuretoUnhygienicSurfacesModernEnvironmentalHazardsStrongerandMoreResistantGermsClimateChangeStickingtoTraditionalHygieneRoutineWeakImmuneSystemWhileresearchingcommonailmentsformychildren,Ifoundthatoneofthemajorrecurringfactorsfortheillnesseswasourchildren’simmunity.Ourchildren’sincreasedsusceptibilitytoillnessesisessentiallyduetothefactthattheirimmunesystemisunderdeveloped.Itmeansthatourchild’sbodyhasnotyetbeenabletobuildupadefensemechanismtofendoffgerms,andinfections;thus,makinghimorhermorevulnerabletotheenvironmentalthreats,andhazards.MoreExposuretoUnhygienicSurfacesBeingamother,Iknowthatyoutootakegoodcareofyourchild’shygiene.Butwecan’tbeeverywhere,isn’tit?Ourchildrenarelikelytobemoreexposedtogermsbecauseoftheirsurroundings.Livinginagerm-freebubbleissimplyimpossible,especiallyforchildren.Childrenbeingthemselvestendtoplayaroundinmudandgrime,andoftenexchangeobjectswithotherchildren,whomaynotbeashygienicasyourchildren.Theycomeincontactwithseveralcommonlytouched,unhygienicsurfaceslikebus,doorhandles,footballs,staircaserailingsetc.andarealsoexposedtoinfectionstransmittedfromotherchildren.ModernEnvironmentalHazardsToday,theenvironmentissopollutedthatitisnowonderIamover-cautiousaboutmychildren’shealth.Escalatingenvironmentalpollutionisanothermajorcauseforthegrowingnumberofdiseasesaffectingchildrentoday,astheyarecontinuouslyexposedtounhealthytoxinsonadailybasis.Today,theairismorepolluted,watermorecontaminated,andthefoodismorelacedwithchemicalsthaneverbefore.StrongerandMoreResistantGermsIusedtothinkthatsincemedicalsciencehasachievedgreatsuccessinpreventingandcontrollingseveraldiseases,mychildrenaresaferthanIwasmyselfmanyyearsago.However,overaperiodoftime,germstoohaveevolved,andhavebecomemoreresistant.Everyday,Ihearaboutnewvirusesanddiseasebreakouts,whichwerecompletelyunheardofsometimeago.Ourchildren,whoareinadynamicstateofgrowth,andarestilldevelopingtheirimmunesystem,maynotbeabletofightsuchinfectionsastheirimmunecellscannotrecognize,andreactappropriatelytosuchnewandstrongergerms.ClimateChangeRecentclimatechanges,especiallyglobalwarminghaveresultedinspreadinginfectiousdiseasesworldwide.Researchesindicatethatcertainillnessessuchasdengue,malariaetc.thrivemoreinwarmertemperature.Theseailmentsdonotjustposeathreattoourchildren,buttousadultsaswell.StickingtoTraditionalHygieneRoutineThisreasonmightaccountformebeingcalledagermophobemother.Though,asaparent,Ihavealwaysbeenconcernedaboutmychildren’shealth,andhavetakeneverynecessarysteptokeepthemprotectedfromgerms.Itisnowbecomeevidentthatthetraditionalhygieneroutineisnotenoughintoday’sgermierworld.Thereisagrowingneedforanall-inclusivehygieneroutinethatincludesbasichygienehabitslikehandwashingandhavingabathwithantibacterialsoaps,amongotherhygienehabitsGoodhygieneisthefirststeptowardspreventing,andcombatingillnesses.IhaveensuredthatIcultivatedgoodhygienehabitssuchashandwashingandbathingwithantibacterialsoapsinmychildren’sdailyroutineasearlyaspossible.Ialsoensurethatmychildreneatabalancedandnutritiousdiettohelpthembuildbetterimmunityandstrength.Inaworldwherepollutioncontinuestoaffecteveryoneonanunprecedentedscale,andnewillnesseskeepsurfacing,itisimperativeforworkingmotherslikemetobebetterequippedtotakeextracareofmychildren’shealth.

My children often feel that I go overboard when it comes to their protection from germs, but being a mother of two, I know that a child falling sick is something that gives nightmares to every parent. However, since children are more susceptible to illnesses, and often tend to get afflicted by some ailment or the other, there is a growing need to protect them. For this, it is important to know some of the reasons our children need extra protection in today’s world, and why it is necessary for us to be a bit more cautious:

Weak Immune System

While researching common ailments for my children, I found that one of the major recurring factors for the illnesses was our children’s immunity. Our children’s increased susceptibility to illnesses is essentially due to the fact that their immune system is underdeveloped. It means that our child’s body has not yet been able to build up a defense mechanism to fend off germs, and infections; thus, making him or her more vulnerable to the environmental threats, and hazards.

More Exposure to Unhygienic Surfaces

Being a mother, I know that you too take good care of your child’s hygiene. But we can’t be everywhere, isn’t it? Our children are likely to be more exposed to germs because of their surroundings. Living in a germ-free bubble is simply impossible, especially for children.Children being themselves tend to play around in mud and grime, and often exchange objects with other children, who may not be as hygienic as your children. They come in contact with several commonly touched, unhygienic surfaces like bus, door handles, footballs, staircase railings etc. and are also exposed to infections transmitted from other children.

Modern Environmental Hazards

Today, the environment is so polluted that it is no wonder I am over-cautious about my children’s health. Escalating environmental pollution is another major cause forthe growing number of diseases affecting children today, as they are continuously exposed to unhealthy toxins on a daily basis. Today, the air is more polluted, water more contaminated, and the food is more laced with chemicals than ever before.

Stronger and More Resistant Germs

I used to think that since medical science has achieved great success in preventing and controlling several diseases, my children are safer than I was myself many years ago. However, over a period of time, germs too have evolved, and have become more resistant. Every day, I hear about new viruses and disease breakouts, which were completely unheard of sometime ago.Our children, who are in a dynamic state of growth, and are still developing their immune system, may not be able to fight such infections as their immune cells cannot recognize, and react appropriately to such new and stronger germs.

Climate Change

Recent climate changes, especially global warming have resulted in spreading infectious diseases worldwide. Researches indicate that certain illnesses such as dengue, malaria etc. thrive more in warmer temperature. These ailments do not just pose a threat to our children, but to us adults as well.

Sticking to Traditional Hygiene Routine

This reason might account for me being called a germophobe mother. Though, as a parent, I have always been concerned about my children’s health, and have taken every necessary step to keep them protected from germs. It is now become evident that the traditional hygiene routine is not enough in today’s germier world. There is a growing need for an all-inclusive hygiene routine that includes basic hygiene habits like hand washing and having a bathwith antibacterial soaps, among other hygiene habitsGood hygiene is the first step towards preventing, and combating illnesses. I have ensured that I cultivated good hygiene habits such as hand washing and bathing with antibacterial soaps in my children’s daily routine as early as possible. I also ensure that my children eat a balanced and nutritious diet to help them build better immunity and strength. In a world where pollution continues to affect everyone on an unprecedented scale, and new illnesses keep surfacing, it is imperative for working mothers like me to be better equipped to take extra care of my children’s health.