10 Tips: The Outdoors is Generally Safe for Children when They are Ill

September 6, 2008

Posted in Outdoor Recreation
Tags: colds, fever, outdoors, weather

Caring for sick children is never child’s play. And the last thing you need is a set of outdated notions about limiting their activities because they are sick.

Here is what you should know:

1. Keeping sick children in bed or “quiet” serves no purpose.

It only makes them more irritable — and irritating. Rest does not shorten illness. If children want to stay in bed, let them. But most prefer to be up and about. If, indeed, a child chooses to stay in bed all day, it may be time to confer with your pediatrician.

2. Fever is no reason to confine children indoors.

(Don’t tell grandparents that you are taking your child with fever outside — many grandparents remain of the mindset that fevers worsen outdoors.) Being outdoors has no effect on fever.

3. Being outdoors makes most children feel better.

Fresh air neither cures nor shortens illness. Many infants fall asleep outside (car rides work even better). And though sleep does not cure illness either, the respite provided by a sick child’s nap does help calm parents’ jangled nerves.

4. Weather has no effect on illness.

There is no convincing evidence that even rain, sleet, or frigid temperatures cause, prolong or worsen routine illnesses. We avoid these because they make us feel miserable. However, high pollen counts and polluted air may cause problems for children with allergies and certain respiratory conditions. Such children may be better off  inside.

5. “Cold” as in weather does not cause “colds” as in respiratory infections.

The confusion stems from the days when weather was blamed for most diseases, before bacteria and viruses were discovered.

6. There’s no need to pile extra clothes on children when they are ill.

Dress them as if they were not ill. Overdressing, indoors or outside, will only make children uncomfortable. The same goes for extra blankets. But if children feel cold (more confusion from this word), then you should dress them accordingly

7. Going out immediately after bathing or with wet hair is safe. Such taboos are old wives’ tales.

8. Night air, open windows and drafts are harmless. Evil spirits do not cause disease.

9. Going in and out of air conditioning has no effect on a child’s illness.

This is a new old wives’ tale (air conditioning is a fairly recent invention). If air conditioning is available, use it. It makes sick people feel better.

10. Be considerate of others.

Allowing sick children to go outdoors does not imply that they should mingle with others (go to school or visit friends, for example). Many childhood illnesses are contagious and are easily passed on to others.

Posted in Outdoor Recreation
Tags: colds, fever, outdoors, weather