Do you think it's good for your child to get sick?

Question

I asked this at the gradeschooler board, but haven't gotten many answers...I'm asking here. :)

Who here buys into the theory that it's not bad for your child to get sick when they're toddlers because it helps build up their immune system, and by the time they start kindergarten, they won't constantly be sick and staying home? My sons' pediatrician told me this, and I don't buy it. There are SO many strains of the cold virus, flu, etc. out there. What are the chances my son is going to come into contact with the same cold virus twice? If he gets it, yes, he'll be immune, but the next person he comes in contact with who has a cold will more than likely have a different type of cold, so my son's going to be sick again anyway.

If your child was kept at home during infancy and the toddler stage and was rarely sick...when your child started kindergarden, did you notice him constantly sick and missing school? Same for those of you who have kids in daycare...since your child has prob

probably had more than one cold from being in a daycare setting, did you notice when he started school he wasn't sick very often?

Answer 1

Well, I don't know if you can really say it's ever really GOOD to get sick, but I do believe the theory that beating a virus causes the body to develop immunity. It's like you said, there are so many strains of cold & flu viruses, it's hard to avoid all of them.

What are the chances of your child being exposed to the same virus twice? Quite high, actually. I've seen it with my own kids, two girls, ages 7 and 4. One gets a cold, and as it's going away, the other one starts to get symptoms. They play together, lay on the couch together, sleep in the same room...clearly close enough quarters to expose each other to the virus. But once the cold is gone, it's gone -- they don't pass it back & forth and stay sick.

Apply that to a classroom of 20 to 30 kids -- they're all using the same pencil sharpener, doorknobs, drinking fountain -- say that one of the kids gets sick. Being in the same classroom & handling so many of the same things, breathing the same air, maybe sneezing/coughing on each other ... some will get sick, some will not. It's hard to know if the ones who stayed well did so because they didn't get close enough to contract the virus, or if they stayed well because they were already immune. In any case, they don't pass around the same virus indefinitely, and they won't catch every single bug that floats by, especially if they learn to wash their hands frequently as part of their normal routine -- not as a panicky reaction to every little sneeze, unless you want them to learn to be germophobic.

My kids went to a really small licensed home daycare with an experienced, conscientious provider who kept everything clean & wiped down the toys with disinfectant wipes each night. We're not over-the-top compulsively clean, but we've always taught to wash their hands & good basic hygiene of that nature. They get their check-ups and vaccinations on time, eat their veggies, drink lots of water ... and my daughter missed only two days of first grade due to illness. Of course I have no way of knowing if she would have had more illnesses if she had not been a daycare kid, so I apologize if that's not helpful.

If this is your first child, and it sounds like it is, it's natural to fret more and get nervous over their health. It's ok - kids get sick and it's no fun for anyone, but it's a normal part of growing up. Consider cutting down on dairy and/or having him tested for food allergies, as those can sometimes mimic the signs of a cold (i.e. runny nose, cough, phlegm).

Good luck & try not to show too much concern in front of your child, as you wouldn't want him to develop a phobia or a feeling that he is abnormal in any way.

Answer 2

The only way to build an immune system is to be in contact with the virus,what do you think they are injecting you with when they give the flu shot,it is the virus itself,also I have seen first hand how not being a social and active child before school can cost a child alot,my Nephew is home almost all the time now from school because he is constantly getting sick from no more than just a common cold bug.

One must build up an immunity to the different viruses and bug's out there now to remain healthy.

Answer 3

Actually, the pediatrician is right. If your child isn't introduced to germs at an early age your child will wind up getting sick, and very likely sicker, then the other kids in his/her class. This helps to boost the immune system. Your child will develop immunities not just to specific viruses but to viruses of the same kind which can have different strains, but still an immunity has been developed against the virus or bacteria.

My son was allowed to play with other kids, was in daycare when he was a toddler and contracted colds. By the time he started kindergarten he rarely got sick, and rarely does still.

Answer 4

I am with your doctor's comments. If the child is in a protected environment always, he will lose his immunity. In fact a fever is an indication of a health problem getting ok. Also diseases like Chicken Pox might look gross and scary but its extremely good for the body beacause they stay in our body after the attack and provide immunity from all different viruses. Hence you are health for the rest of your life.
Children might get sick at daycare because of bad facility / being around lots of sick children in a single time period.

I can tell you that children from India are a lot healthier than children in the US because they get immune to different health conditions. Things like Flu are common here but not there. I used to be a lot lot healthier before living at the US. Now I have become as fragile and unhealthy as all others as I am living in a very protected environment now ....Hope this answers your question :)

Answer 5

That is true. It makes your immune much stronger. If you keep your kid at home and then he starts school and gets introduced to a million different germs he will be very sick and will take awhile to recover from the illness. Where as if your child is at daycare or where ever he does come in to more contact will germs which makes his immune stronger and is able to fight the virus much easier.

Answer 6

My mom babsits my toddler and during the winter he constantly had colds. I was also taking Pathophysiology in the spring semester, and learned that their are countless different strains of the common cold.
An infant is born without much of an immune system, and constantly gets sick untill they can build up antibodies. You as an adult doesn't get sick as much because you already have antibodies built up from the illness that your baby is getting

Answer 7

It's good for kids to get certain illnesses, like chicken pox. And a common cold once in a while is what the pediatrician means. It's ok to protect your child from germs and bacteria, but don't go overboard. People who are germ-phobes tend to get sick more. Your body has a natural defense system--there are good bacteria and bad bacteria and 'anti-bacterial' stuff kills both kinds. The main idea here is to not stress it too much and try to relax about it.

Answer 8

I don't know, it can go both ways. When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter if he's sucking on the handle of the shopping cart or in a daycare full of drippy noses... He's going to be exposed just the same. I WOULDN'T purposely try to expose him to sicknesses just to get him sick... I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. Try to stay healthy, no matter what your age, and if you come in contact w/ a nasty flu/cold, work your way through it! That's all you can do! Good Luck!

Answer 9

Yeah i agree withyou, there are so many dangerous viruses out there! And kids and get really really sick!
I recommend putting your kids on Ester-C! It's just a strong vitamin c, you can get them in kid's chewable candy like starbursts! My bro loves them!
Also if they can take garlic pills thats great too!
i was put on all of that stuff when i was little and rarely got sick! Other than the rare flu! And chicken pox! But it works hardcore against Colds!
YOu can find this stuff at Costco or health food store!

Answer 10

IT'S GOOD IF U TREAT THEM PROPERLY.it's a sign of being healthy.take for ex.. a cold-an immune response against flu virus and the boogie -a means of getting rid of the inhaled dust and smoke a fever is an effective symptom of many grave diseases
so diseases are the indicators of healthy immune response of the body DO BE VERY CAREFUL CAUTIOUS &CLEAN!!!!!!!!