Frequent Colds in Children: Boost Local Immunity with AROGENTOKEA Spray

Frequent colds are a sign of reduced immune defence. In addition to general immunity, there is also local immunity, which, when weakened, allows viruses and bacteria to easily enter the body and cause disease. You can protect your child from constant colds with products that restore the barrier function of the throat and nose mucosa.

Children's immunity

The body's natural defence against viruses, bacteria and other antigens is provided by immunity, which can be acquired or innate. The first category includes immunological memory: a special mechanism that ‘teaches’ the defence system to recognise and quickly fight infection when it encounters it again. Innate immunity refers to the set of protective factors provided by the skin and mucous membranes.

The immune system is formed before birth, but only fully develops by adolescence. During the first 15 years of life, a child goes through several critical stages when the body is particularly vulnerable and requires enhanced protection.

From birth to 28 days

A baby is born with passive immunity - maternal antibodies provide part of the protection. These immune proteins are capable of recognising and destroying pathogenic organisms. Most antibodies are found in the mother's colostrum, and then they are passed on through her milk. Therefore, it is very important to breastfeed the baby early after birth and to continue breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby's life.

Up to 6 months

By the age of six months, the mother's immune factors are destroyed. Immune protection is still incomplete: only class M antibodies are formed in response to antigens and vaccines. Unlike G antibodies, they do not provide long-term protection, so measles and whooping cough contracted at this age can recur.

Up to 2 years

As the child socialises, their overall immunity gradually strengthens, and by the end of their second year of life, the body already produces antibodies that provide long-term protection against past infections. However, local immunity is still weak, so the child is susceptible to frequent viral and bacterial infections, primarily affecting the nasopharynx and respiratory system.

Up to 6 years

By older preschool age, the level of M and G antibodies reaches normal levels, meaning that the body is able to respond quickly to infection and form a strong immune response. However, the level of A antibodies, an important part of the protective function of the mucous membranes, is still far from high, which increases the likelihood of infections and their transition to a chronic form.

Up to 15 years of age

The last critical stage for immunity occurs during the period of active hormonal changes, which occurs at the age of 12 for girls and 15 for boys. Increased concentrations of sex hormones in the blood, as well as first experiences with smoking and alcohol consumption, reduce immune defence, which is why adolescents are more likely to encounter infectious and inflammatory processes, as well as exacerbated or newly diagnosed autoimmune diseases.

The strength of the immune system depends not only on age and genetics, but also on the child's environment. Poor nutrition and ecology, early transition to artificial feeding, severe illnesses, injuries and surgical interventions prevent the immune system from developing properly. Therefore, creating good conditions for the child and helping their immunity with special means is a primary task for parents.

Frequency of illness per year

‘My child is often ill’ is a common complaint that pediatricians hear more than once a day. But the concept of ‘often’ is relative, so in medicine, a threshold frequency of infectious diseases has been established, above which one can speak of weakened immunity:

in the first year of life – more than 4 times a year;
up to three years old – more than 6 times;
up to five years old – more than 5 times;
over 5 years old – more than 4 times.

It is important to consider not only the frequency but also the severity of the disease. If SARS lasts more than 1,5-2 weeks and is accompanied by manifest symptoms of the disease, this indicates insufficient immune protection of the body.

Functions of the nasal and throat mucosa

To boost overall immunity, it is important to eat healthy, lead an active lifestyle, spend time outdoors and avoid factors that can trigger illness. However, even careful adherence to these recommendations will not protect a child from frequent colds if the barrier function of their nasopharyngeal mucosa is reduced. Mucous membrane provides protection thanks to the lymphoid tissue responsible for producing cells that destroy pathogens, and the mucous membrane itself, which:

secretes mucus that prevents microorganisms from attaching to body tissues;
has an epithelium lined with ciliated cells that move in unison to clear the airways;
produces various secretions and fluids that help maintain barrier functions, as well as immunoglobulins, interferons and enzymes to destroy antigens.

With low protection, a person gets sick more often and more severely, even if their overall immunity is in good condition. Local immunity can be assessed by chronic or frequent inflammation of the throat and nose mucosa and enlarged lymph nodes.

Causes of decreased local immunity

There are external and internal factors that decrease the barrier function of the mucous membrane.

1. Internal factors – the effect of the inflammatory process on permeability of mucous membrane. Against the background of acute or protracted chronic inflammation, permeability increases, so microbes that contact with the mucous membrane easily penetrate the body.

2. External factors – related to effect of the environment on immune defence of mucous membrane. Pathogenic factors include dry and polluted air, smoking, as well as the uncontrolled local use of aggressive medications and mechanical damage to tissues.

How to restore local immunity and improve resistance to infections?

In medicine, three methods are used to improve condition of mucous membrane and increase its resistance to infections:

mechanical: cleansing (washing, rinsing) with special solutions;
chemical: application of therapeutic compounds to the mucous membrane to improve its protective function;
combined.

When using any method, it is important to remember safety precautions: many chemical preparations have an aggressive composition that dries out the mucous membrane, leading to discomfort, swelling and inflammation.

While working on local immune defence, do not forget about general immunity, which can be maintained by healthy diet, hardening, spending more time outdoors and avoiding stress.

Multizan Silver oral and nasal sprays

Are products based on nanocolloidal silver, dexpanthenol and mineral salts of sodium and potassium. They help to strengthen barrier function of nasal and throat mucosa by:

destroying harmful microorganisms;
relieving inflammation;
restoring and healing the mucosa;
improving function of the ciliated epithelium.

Drugs with their innovative and safe composition are suitable for children and adults, and can be used:

during acute respiratory infections;
to eliminate residual effects after recovery;
to prevent infections and exacerbations;
in chronic forms of inflammation.

Multizan Silver oral and nasal sprays are suitable for long-term use, does not cause addiction or bacterial resistance. Even in minimal concentrations, nanosilver fights viruses, dangerous bacteria and fungi without harming the body due to its selective action on cells.

Multizan Silver oral and nasal sprays are an ideal solutions for strengthening local immunity and reducing frequency and duration of colds among children.