Back to School and Daycare: Tips from Our Clinic for Autumn Immunity

Dear parents,

September is approaching, and with it comes the return to daycare and school. At our clinic, we are already hearing your concerns about how your child will cope with being back in a group setting. Let’s look together at scientifically supported facts and recommendations from leading Slovak immunologists and allergists on how we can help our little ones.

What Is “Healthy Frequency of Illness”?

• Frequent runny noses do not automatically mean that your child has a “weak immune system”! In preschool-aged children, it is completely normal to experience 6–8 (and sometimes even more) uncomplicated respiratory infections per year.
• This is a natural and important form of “training” for their developing immune system. What matters is that these infections occur without serious complications or the repeated need for antibiotics.

How Can We Prepare for the Season?

There is no miracle pill, but these are the key steps supported by modern medicine:

1. Vaccination Is the Foundation

• Keep your child’s routine vaccinations up to date.
• Don’t forget about the flu vaccine! Influenza can significantly weaken children and leave them more vulnerable to subsequent infections, which are often bacterial. A painless nasal spray vaccine is also available for children.

2. Healthy Daily Habits

The basics matter most: adequate, good-quality sleep, spending time outdoors every day regardless of the weather, and a varied diet rich in fibre.

3. Support the Gut = Support the Immune System

• Did you know that up to 70% of immune cells are located in the gut? Include natural probiotics in your child’s diet through fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, and plain unsweetened yoghurt.
• During periods of increased strain or after antibiotics, you may also consider adding a high-quality children’s probiotic from the pharmacy to support mucosal immunity.

4. Key Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamin D, Vitamin C & Zinc

• Vitamin D: Extremely important for immune function. As sunlight decreases during autumn, the body’s natural production of vitamin D also declines, so supplementation in drop form is important.
• Vitamin C and Zinc: These can provide additional support during periods of increased strain. Give zinc with food whenever possible, as taking it on an empty stomach may cause nausea.

5. Beta-Glucans – Worth Considering

• Beta-glucans are natural extracts, for example from oyster mushrooms, that can help activate immune cells.
• However, they are not routinely necessary for every healthy preschooler. They may be worth considering if your child is entering daycare or preschool for the first time, or if they tend to experience more severe or prolonged infections.
• If you decide to use them, it is recommended to start at least 2–3 weeks in advance to give the immune system time to respond.

6. Rest and Symptom Management

• Most infections among preschool children are viral, which means antibiotics will not help.
• The best treatment is usually rest, plenty of fluids, managing fever, and keeping the nose clear.

Don’t worry — we’ll get through the season together! ❤️
And whenever you are unsure what to do, we are here for you at the clinic.

Sources

1. JESEŇÁK, Miloš and Daniela MINÁRIKOVÁ. Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Their Management in Outpatient Practice. Medicína pro praxi. 2021, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 29–36. ISSN 1803-5264. DOI: 10.36290/med.2021.004.
2. SLOVAK SOCIETY OF ALLERGOLOGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (SSAKI). Recommendations and Expert Statements on the Prevention and Support of Immunity in Respiratory Diseases. Bratislava: SSAKI.
3. EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL (ECDC). Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Children: Public Health Guidance for EU/EEA Countries. Stockholm: ECDC, 2023.
4. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO). Infectious Disease Prevention and Immunisation in Pediatric Care: WHO Guidelines. Geneva: WHO, 2022.