How do I boost a 7 year olds immune system?

[nobodysfool]

DS1 is 7 an eats fantastically (lots of fruit and veg) he is an active boy and sleeps very well BUT he seems to pick up every virus that is going around. He and his brother (4) had a terrible virus just before Christmas with high temp/joint pain etc.
I picked DS1 up from school this afternoon and he clearly wasn't feeling well , took his temp (braun ear thermometer) and it was 39.8 . So goodness knows what he has picked up now.
Is there any products on the market that can boost his immune system?Poor boy is getting fed up with virus after virus.

[sailorsgal]

We either take Sambuccol or you can get Olive leaf extract for kids from a health food shop. This sounds like the virus going around ds's school too.

[dikkertjedap]

Maybe some extra vitamins/minerals supplement. But if he already gets his five portions fruit and veg daily, and generally eats well and also gets enough sleep (maybe look into that?), then it is just a matter of bad luck. If a lot of bugs go round at school he is bound to pick some up. Very little you can do, apart from instilling good hand hygiene, no fingers in mouth and washing hands properly with soap before eating.

[nobodysfool]

Thanks Sailorsgal- will have alook into the products you have suggested.Odd virus isnt it.

Dikkertjedap- he has more than his 5 a day and sleeps from 7.30 pm to 7am so plenty of sleep,always washes his hands before eating and after the loo and even has hand sanitiser in his lunch bag......makes me sound a nutter doesnt it !Im at a loss .

[dikkertjedap]

Sounds it is just really bad luck. Hopefully, there will be fewer bugs around when the weather picks up or he has already developed resistance to the bugs which still do the rounds.

It really looks you are already doing everything you can.

Only other thing, did he always have lots of bugs or only recently? If he has always had it, you could ask for his immune system to be checked. If it is more recently, then you will just have to make the best of it. What doesn't help is that many schools are truly filthy, but not much you can do about that.

Hope he feels better soon.

[drjohnsonscat]

I was wondering this recently as my DD particularly picks up everything although she also eats and sleeps well and is basically well. She had 84% attendance last year due to endless viruses, fevers, vomiting. She doesn't get coughs and colds - more fevers and vomiting. My son, who is younger, is basically healthier.

Someone told me to try manuka honey to help her fight infections and it may be snake oil but I am going to try it. Apparently you need to take a spoonful but best to take it on something (bread or cracker) so that it stays in the stomach longer. Who knows if it works but I will try anything at this point (three separate vomting bugs since 1 Jan!)

[roundabout1]

Probiotics? - Not sure if they do any good but my dd takes them (when I remember to give them her You can get a powder that you can add to drinks or yoghurts, much cheaper than probiotic pastilles or drinks.

[dikkertjedap]

I think Manuka honey (the high grade one, you can buy it at Holland and Barrett, very expensive though) does work well for sore throats. Bad for teeth obviously.

Vomiting bugs may have to do with the hygiene standards in her class/school. I have worked in schools where there was weeks on end no soap in the kids toilets in spite of the noro virus going round. Also, check if she knows how to wash hands properly (wetting, rubbing with soap for a good 10-15 seconds, eg singing happy birthday three times, then rinsing off and drying well, not forgetting nails, in between fingers and wrists).

I expect it is just a stage she has to get through. My dd picked up lots and lots (poor attendance rate as a result) the first two years she went to school, now she is fine and hardly ever ill.