Protect Your Children Against ‘Immunity Gap’

The rainy season is here again. While it is a nice change from the scorching heat, the inclement weather can pose dangers to our children, in the form of diseases.

During this change in weather, children are susceptible to rainy season maladies, and other illnesses. Parents naturally worry about these troubles because they want their kids to always be in the best condition. With good overall health and a strong immune system, they can grow full of energy and ready to face life’s challenges.

Rainy Season Blues
Common rainy season illnesses include cough, colds, and influenza. Dengue and leptospirosis are also serious diseases to look out for.

According to Philippine College of Physicians President Rontgene Solante, flooding caused by the rainy season lead to the rise of dengue and leptospirosis cases. Up to September 6 this year, the Department of Health has recorded 208,965 dengue cases in the country. Meanwhile, 4,575 leptospirosis cases were recorded nationwide as of September 7. In Antique, for instance, their Provincial Health Office even issued a warning against wading through rainwater to avoid catching leptospirosis.

Bridging the Immunity Gap
Viruses and bacteria aren’t the only things that can make your children sick. Parents should now also lookout for the so-called “Immunity Gap”. This develops when the immune system has less exposure to disease-causing pathogens, which leads to an immune system that is not strong enough to fight diseases effectively.

Experts observed this matter after lockdown measures have limited social movement since 2020. During this period, people, especially children, had reduced exposure to pathogens that led to a decline in their immunity. With an untrained immune system, they became more vulnerable to infections once they were exposed.

Lack of proper nutrition and incomplete vaccination may also give rise to immunity gap. Without the much-needed nutrients that keep your kids’ body in top condition, they become more vulnerable to infections. Seemingly innocuous illnesses like cough and colds should not be ignored as these may progress to more serious infirmities if left unchecked. That is why it is necessary that parents ensure their children are provided with good nutrition and have complete vaccinations for their protection.

Fortunately, there are ways to help close this gap. Keep your children’s immune system primed and ready with these tips:

Provide a nutritious diet.
Pinggang Pinoy, a meal guide prepared by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), suggests that children should be served a balanced diet of meat, vegetables, and fruits. This variety ensures that kids get the essential nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

Maintain proper hygiene.
Teach your kids the habit of brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and taking their baths. Maintaining cleanliness can help reduce their vulnerability to harmful, disease-causing agents.

Stay active.
According to research, children with an ideal weight tend to be healthier. They are also better learners, more confident, and much less susceptible to suffering from health problems now and later in life. So, have them exercise regularly to help maintain proper weight.

Just keep in mind that being active doesn't always equate to playing a sport; it could be as simple as going for a walk in the park or playing simple games like jump rope, tag, or luksong baka.

Vaccinate Your Kids!
Vaccines teach the body's immune system how to create antibodies that fight diseases. This is especially crucial for your children's health, as vaccines help protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases like smallpox and polio. Make sure your kids have complete vaccinations to ensure their immune system is prepared.

Don’t forget Vitamin C and Zinc!
Ensure your kids have continued daily supplementation of Vitamin C and Zinc. By sufficiently giving these essentials you are helping them in their physical and mental growth while giving their immune system a boost in combating infections.

Vitamin C aids the production of white blood cells, phagocytes, and lymphocytes, which are key components of the body's immune system. Zinc, on the other hand, helps bolster the immune system. It also aids in DNA synthesis, metabolic function, and wound healing.

Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) has ZincPlus® Technology that can help provide the right amount of Vitamin C and Zinc needed by your kids' bodies to help strengthen their immunity for overall growth and development, and aid in recovery from sickness, when paired with proper diet and exercise.

Considered as the Number 1 Vitamin C and Zinc brand for kids, Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) is the only brand that has a patented ZincPlus® Technology that ensures the stable combination of Vitamin C and Zinc in the body so kids can get the right amount of nutrients in every dose.

With harmful germs and viruses ready to pounce anytime, your kids’ bodies need something to strengthen their immunity not only for all-round growth and development, but also for helping with recovery from sickness. Paired with proper diet and exercise, Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus) completes your essentials for a robust immune system.

Boost your children’s health and bridge the immunity gap with the help of Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus), along with proper diet and exercise, so they can face the days ahead strong, rain or shine.

To learn more, follow Ascorbic Acid + Zinc (Ceelin® Plus)'s socials on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

SOURCE: PPI and PHPA, IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES INC., REPRINTED WITH
PERMISSION. SALES DATA OF A11G – VIT C INC. MINERAL COMBS IN VALUES, DOSAGE
UNITS, COUNTING UNITS, AND CONTAINER UNITS COVERING THE PERIOD OF: MAT
MARCH 2024 (APRIL 2023 – MARCH 2024)

ASC REFERENCE CODE: U0097P111524C