Each season presents its own unique health risks for children 1 year or older. As the weather changes, we like to enjoy different activities, which each present their own challenges. Kids, in particular, are at risk for a variety of health issues as seasons change, since they’re active and spend so much time in big groups at school. Here’s what you need to know about the way the seasons impact your kids. 

Key fall health issues

There are a variety of issues that children deal with during the fall when they are heading back to school. These include: 

• Allergies. The change of seasons means that new plants are blooming or shedding, and there’s a possibility that your child might be allergic to them. 
• The common cold. Although most people get the common cold once or twice a year, it’s still a nuisance. The cooler weather in tandem with back-to-school season put kids at risk. 
• Flu. The flu season begins to peak in the fall and winter. Kids are at risk when the flu goes around their school, particularly if they don’t have the flu shot. The flu can make existing health conditions worse, and in the most severe cases, lead to hospitalization. 
• Sports injuries. If your child plays a fall sport like football, they’re going to be at a higher risk of getting injured during this time. 

Talk to your child about prevention

It’s important that your child starts to develop an understanding of how to prevent these seasonal health issues. Talk to them about washing their hands regularly, and lead by example. You should also make sure they know to stay warm and dry on cold days since low temperatures can make you more susceptible to illness in some cases. If your child plays a sport, make sure they wear protective gear to stay safe. 

Don’t be afraid to head to an urgent care center

If your child is struggling with a health issue, take them to seek care relatively quickly. The sooner you can have a doctor address the problem, the sooner your child can heal. If your child has a consistent cold or flu symptoms, ones that persist for more than a few days, a doctor can prescribe them medication to clear things up. The same thing is true for injuries – the sooner they are identified, the sooner your child can heal. Your doctor can also put in a referral for a specialist if necessary. 

Urgent care centers are very convenient, and many of them offer affordable pricing schemes, so getting care for your child doesn’t come with any stress. Staying on top of your child’s health will help make this season less stressful for everyone.