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Best Buddies Educare Centre

Flu Prevention and Foods for a Healthy Kids immune system

Flu Prevention and Foods for a Healthy Kids immune system

Best Buddies blog

Best Buddies blog

Welcome back to our Best Buddies Blog!

Today I want to talk about a disease that many children get, but not many of us really know much about or how to treat it. With winter well on its way, we need to be extra vigilant when it comes to colds, flu and other illnesses our kids can bring home or spread at their school.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by a virus, called Coxsackievirus A-16. This infection most often occurs in the spring and fall and is regularly seen in young children, infants, and toddlers.

People who have infected eyes (Conjunctivitis) can spread the virus by touching their eyes and touching other people or touching a surface. Conjunctivitis may spread quickly and appear within one day of exposure to the virus. Coxsackieviruses hide in stool, which may be a source of transmission among youngsters. The virus can be spread through unwashed hands, soiled with faecal matter and then touching the face. This particularly happens in day-care centres or nurseries, where diapers are handled. Diarrhoea is the most common sign of Coxsackievirus intestinal infection.

There is an extensive variety of symptoms, but 50% of those infected have no symptoms at all. Others suddenly get a high fever, headache, and muscle aches, and some also develop a sore throat, abdominal discomfort, or nausea. A child with a coxsackievirus infection may simply feel hot, but have no other symptoms. In most kids, the fever lasts about 3 days and then disappears completely. Some children develop a rash. This nonspecific generalized red rash or clusters of fine red spots may not appear until the infection has started to get better. Although it may resemble a light sunburn, the rash does not peel. The rash itself is not contagious. The virus may also cause small, tender blisters and red spots on the palms, soles of the feet, and inside the mouth. In the mouth, sores occur on the tongue, gums, and cheeks.

Rarely, other more serious problems can transpire, including viral Meningitis (aseptic Meningitis) and Encephalitis. The symptoms associated with these complications include a high fever, headache, being lethargic, irritability, a stiff neck, as well as back pain.

There is no specific medicine that has been shown to kill the Coxsackievirus. Luckily, the body’s immune system is generally able to destroy the virus by itself. Depending on the type of infection and symptoms, the doctor may prescribe medicines to make your child feel more comfortable.

Because antibiotics only work against bacteria, they can’t be used to fight a Coxsackievirus infection.

You can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve minor aches and pains. If the fever lasts for more than 24 hours or if your child has any symptoms of a more serious Coxsackie virus infection like described above, call your doctor!

Foods that combat flu

Cruciferous Vegetables

Green, flowering vegetables that include kale, cabbage, and broccoli produces a substance called isothiocyanates that have been proven to have powerful immune boosting effects and studies have shown they actually attack bacterial infections and viruses.

Best Buddies blog may

Best Buddies blog may

Best Buddies blog may

Pomegranates

The juice and seeds of a pomegranate has antioxidant as well as anticancer properties. Recent studies have shown that pomegranate helps in the treatment and prevention of cancer, cardiovascular disease, bacterial infections, and sun related skin damage.

Berries

Brightly coloured berries like raspberries, blackberries and blueberries have benefits very similar to pomegranates. Some studies even show that dark berries may also be able to block viruses!

Seeds

Flax seeds have remarkable benefits with omega 3 fatty acids in them, but they also contain a powerful immune booster called lignans that have strong anti-oxidant effects.

Now you have a formula to work from and it makes packing lunchboxes or serving healthy meals easy, even if time is not on your side and you have to do it in a hurry! With every publication I will show you a fun, easy recipe to make, that will keep the kiddies happy and gives mom the security of knowing they are healthy foods that will help your kid grow and ward off those nasty bugs that cause infections as well as colds and flu!

Sending the little ones off with wholesome nibbles and a few special delights to keep tummies full all day is simple and easy. Here is my first recipe and do not worry there are still loads to come, so there’s plenty to get excited about!

Now as promised, another quick, easy and yummy recipe for you to try out to boost your little one’s immune system for winter!

Best Buddies
Anti-Flu Super Smoothie for Kids

Ingredients

2 cups pomegranate juice

2 cups, chopped kale

2 cups mixed berries, frozen

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed.

Instructions

Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until smooth. Depending on the type of blender you have, it may be better to split all ingredients in half and make 2 servings at a time.

Your kiddies will love this smoothie and you can be sure of the fact that their little bodies are getting all the nutrients they need to fight all the nasty cold and flu bugs this season!

What Else Happened In May?

We Got Our New Jungle Gym.

Our Kiddies (and Staff) are ecstatic about the build of our new play-centre. The new jungle-gym is built with our little Best Buddies in-mind. It  has been designed to include all the necessary elements for brain activity and exercise, and that stimulates all there senses for growth and development. We have included obstacles that will challenge and develop their balance, flexibility and core strength.

Our New Website

2021 Brings a lot of change to our little growing school and with some of that change, comes our awesome brand new website. Here you can find all the info about our school and our Blog page will keep you up-to-date with all of our new and exciting programs, activities and developments, so make sure you subscribe and look out for our newsletters and blog articles.

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed our first edition. I can’t wait to share some more information and fun ideas with you to keep the kiddies busy, happy, healthy and excited!

Our Sponsors

Our Sponsors

Cape Town

Do you want to make a difference in your community, Do you know about our Best Buddies Educational Trust? Learn more about this fantastic initiative that will help an underprivileged child from our local community get 3 daily meals, and a great start to life. Click here to see more.

Lizl Zandberg

Lizl is our friendly Administration Assistant and helps in the Penguins Class. Without this wonderful Best Buddies team-member , daily tasks would become a challenge.

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Cubs Class

Ages: 3 months - 1 year

In the Cub Class your baby will be stimulated according to his /
her age and according to your preferred schedule. There will be
ample time for sleeping, socializing and exploring this new and
wonderful world your baby is still adapting to.

Our environment is secure, kept clean and sanitized throughout
and will provide your little one with the utmost comfort.

Activities offered

• Tummy time play
• Sensory bottles and sensory bags
• Textured hula-hoops
• Ball pit
• Educational Toys
• Story time
• Music ring

Fees

Non-Refundable registration fee of R400
Deposit equal to one month of R2000
Monthly fee of R2000

Parents to Supply

  • Nappies.
  • Formula & bottles if applicable.
  • 1x complete set of clean clothes

Bunnies Class

Ages: 2 -3 years

In the Bunnies Class we provide an emotionally supportive
environment to optimize your child’s full potential. We strongly
focus on each child’s physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and
motor development needs while strengthening their
independence and communication skills.

Activities offered

 Class lesson and art activity according to weekly theme
• Free play (Indoor & outdoor)
• Educational Toys
• Story time
• Music ring
• Extramural activities offered: Manners for Minors / Playball / Karate / Dancing

Fees

Non-Refundable registration fee of R400
Deposit equal to one month of R3500 / R2500
Monthly Fee of R3500 full day / R2500 half day.

Parents to Supply

A bottle with water/ juice/milk according to your child’s preference
Comfort toy if applicable.
1x complete set of clean clothes