At least half of parents use non-evidence-based cold prevention methods for children

Vitamin C to keep germs. Never go out with wet hair. Stay inside.

Despite little or no evidence suggesting that these types of methods actually help people not catch or prevent colds, more than half of parents have tried them with their children, according to the National Health Survey. children of CS Mott Children & # 39; s Hospital at the University of Michigan.

The good news: almost all parents (99%) say their approach to cold prevention is based on rigorous personal hygiene, which science says prevents the spread of colds. These strategies include encouraging children to wash their hands frequently, to teach children not to put their hands near their mouths or noses, and to discourage children from sharing utensils or drinks with children. other.

Nevertheless, 51% of parents gave their child a vitamin or an over-the-counter supplement to prevent colds, even without proof of their effectiveness. Seventy-one percent of parents also say they are trying to protect their child from colds by following advice that is not based on "evidence of folklore", such as preventing children from going out with wet hair or encouraging them to spend more time with their children. time inside.

Colds are caused by viruses that spread most often from person to person. The most common mechanism comes from mucous droplets in the nose or mouth that are transmitted by direct contact or in the air by sneezing or coughing and landing on the hands and face, or on surfaces such as doorknobs. faucets, counters and toys.

"The positive news is that the majority of parents are following evidence-based recommendations to avoid catching or spreading colds and other diseases," says Gary Freed, MD, MPH, co-director of the survey and pediatrician at Mott.

"However, many parents also use supplements and vitamins whose effectiveness is not proven for the prevention of colds and which are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. can be widely advertised and commonly used, but none has been independently proven to have a definite effect on cold prevention. "

There is no evidence that giving a child vitamin C, multivitamins or other products advertised to strengthen the immune system is effective in preventing colds. Freed notes that it is not necessary to prove the effectiveness of supplements and vitamins in order to sell them.

Folklore strategies, he adds, have probably been pbaded on from generation to generation and started even before people know that germs are actually the cause of diseases like colds.

Fortunately, even more parents are using cold prevention strategies supported by science. In addition to helping children adopt good hygiene habits, 87% of parents keep children away from already sick people. Sixty-four percent of parents said that they were asking parents who have a cold to not kiss their child, and 60% would omit a date of play or activity if other children were sick. Some parents (31%) completely avoid playgrounds during the cold season.

Eighty-four percent of parents also integrated their child's environmental sanitation as a strategy for preventing colds, such as frequent washing of household surfaces and cleaning toys.

On average, children of school age suffer from three to six colds a year, some lasting up to two weeks.

"When children have a cold, it affects the whole family," explains Freed. "Colds can lead to lack of sleep, discomfort, lack of school and other obligations, and all parents want families to stay as healthy as possible."

But, he adds, "It is important for parents to understand what cold prevention strategies are based on evidence.If some methods are very effective in preventing children from catching colds, it does not help." has not been shown that others can really make a difference. "

Provided by
University of Michigan