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6 myths associated with immunity debunked

A child specialist and neonatologist says that seasonal allergies have no bearing on weak or strong immunity; parents need not panic

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, we are all concerned about keeping our immunity high especially, when it comes to our children. But this is also where parents have a lot of misconceptions. Most parents opine that just because their child is falling ill frequently, it is because of weak immunity.

Then there are other misconceptions that parents have. Medication can reduce my child’s immunity. Seasonal allergies mean reduced immunity. Hand washing kills viruses, and exercise weakens the child’s immunity. Some parents even feel that there is a medicine that can put an end to their child’s illness. Dr Jatinder Singh, a Child Specialist & Neonatologist and a Professor at Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, whose children study at Apeejay School, Model Town, Jalandhar gives a low down on the facts.

So, what is the truth?

Myth: Frequent illness means weak immunity

Fact: Children between the ages of four to six years are going to fall ill frequently since their immunity is still building. “This is the reason why kids in this age group fall ill repeatedly. As long as the child’s height and weight are not affected by repeated illnesses, parents need not worry. Small children slowly build their immunity. When the virus enters the body, it starts making antibodies to combat illnesses. Only if the child’s growth is affected should the parents get proper diagnoses for the toddler,” Dr Singh said and added that the same holds true for older children as well.

Myth: Medication can weaken immunity

Fact: Medicines don’t weaken immunity. But that doesn’t mean that you give your child medicine unnecessarily. “No person should be exposed to unwanted medication. Most of the illnesses are viral. The only downfall with giving antibiotics is that one can develop resistance to these medicines over time. If the child is ill, parents should stick to the treatment of one doctor. Parents should not give medicines to the child on their own,” Dr Singh stressed.

Myth: There is a medicine that can cure their child’s illness

Fact: There is no such medicine. “As mentioned, most illnesses are viral and pertain to upper respiratory tract infections like colds and coughs are common in winter. The virus is already there in the nasal passage. The virus needs a low temperature to get activated and grow,” Dr Singh said and added that it is not the ice cream that makes the child fall ill.

When a person falls ill, it is due to the virus and not bacteria. Walking barefoot and not wearing warm clothes doesn’t make a person sick.

Myth: Seasonal allergies are due to weak immunity

Fact: Seasonal allergies have no connection with immunity, Dr Singh said, who gets a lot of children with allergies during harvest season. Not everyone will get an allergy. The allergen enters the body and some kids can have a reaction to it. Every child has a different body system; not all kids will develop milk or seafood allergies, for example.



“I would recommend that children go for physical exercise every day for at least 40 minutes. I am not recommending strenuous exercises but normal activities like walking, swimming, or going to play. Exercise increases white cells in the body that can fight infection and build immunity”

Dr Jatinder Singh, a Child Specialist & Neonatologist, whose children study at Apeejay School, Model Town, Jalandhar



Myth: Exercise can weaken a child’s immunity

Fact: Just the opposite. “I would recommend that children go for physical exercise every day for at least 40 minutes. I am not recommending strenuous exercises but normal activities like walking, swimming, or going to play. Exercise increases white cells in the body that can fight infection and build immunity.

Myth: Hand sanitisers and hand washing can kill viruses

Fact: Only bacteria can be killed. Viruses can’t be killed. “They can only be deactivated. When you use a hand sanitiser or wash your hands, the soap and or the sanitiser molecules wedge themselves into the lipid membrane of the virus and pry it apart making it inactive. This means it can no longer pass on the infection. So the best way is to wash your hands with soap and water if available,” Dr Singh said in conclusion.

Shalini is an Executive Editor with Apeejay Newsroom. With a PG Diploma in Business Management and Industrial Administration and an MA in Mass Communication, she was a former Associate Editor with News9live. She has worked on varied topics - from news-based to feature articles.

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