Cultivate the habit of self-prevention for children
When children enter adolescence, it is difficult for parents to closely follow all activities, so they need to help their children understand risks and proactively take disease prevention measures.
On the late afternoon of July, Mr. Duc Minh (45 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) stopped by a milk tea shop near the school to pick up his 8th grade daughter. While waiting, he saw a group of female students exchanging cups with each other to test the taste. There are cups with two or three straws in them, which many children use in turn. His daughter also participated. When asked, she said her group of friends often did that every time they went out to eat together. For children, trying each other's food is a way of sharing and there is nothing to worry about.
Mr. Minh was angry because he had repeatedly told his children not to share cups, straws or spoons. Father and son argued on the way home. He thought that the child was subjective, and the girl thought that the father was "overdoing" a normal habit among friends.
After calming down, he realized he couldn't be there to remind his child at every meal or gathering. What is needed is not just to prohibit it, but to help children understand the risks and decide how to protect themselves when their parents are not around.
Ms. Ngoc Anh (42 years old, Hanoi) also raised her voice many times when she saw her 16-year-old son sharing a water bottle with his friends after basketball practice. The more you forbid it, the more your child will think that you are difficult and rarely tell stories at school.
"I realized that if my child only did the right thing when his mother was standing next to him, the reminder wouldn't really be effective," she said. When the whole family went to get a flu vaccine in May, she asked the doctor how to guide her children. After the consultation, she switched from scolding to discussing each situation: why you should not share water bottles, when to refuse politely, and how you can bring your own bottle. She also reviewed the members' vaccination schedules and supplemented the missing shots as recommended.
Doctor Doan Thi Khanh Cham, Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System, said teenagers spend a lot of time at school, extra classes, clubs and meetings with friends. Children often come into close contact, eat, drink or play sports together. It is difficult for parents to control every situation, so children need to form the habit of self-prevention.
In the school environment, infectious diseases have many ways of transmission. Influenza, measles, and chickenpox are mainly transmitted through the air, droplets, or respiratory secretions; Meningococcus can be transmitted through close contact with the secretions of a person carrying the bacteria. Sharing items that come into contact with the mouth is not the only cause, but it can increase the chance of exposure to pathogens and is a habit that should be limited.
According to Dr. Cham, parents should explain briefly and specifically instead of threatening children with serious consequences or absolute prohibitions. For example, children can bring their own water bottle, not share items that come into contact with the mouth, and actively refuse by saying they are coughing, have a sore throat, or want to maintain hygiene. Parents also need to listen to the reasons why their children are afraid to refuse. During adolescence, the need to fit in and be accepted by friends is very strong. If only criticized, children may react or continue their behavior without adults.
When they discuss how to handle things together, they are more likely to be proactive in real situations.
The habit of self-prevention is not just about using personal items. Children need to wash their hands before eating, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, do not try to go to class when they are sick, and notify an adult when they have unusual symptoms. Parents should set an example and review the vaccination schedule so that children are fully vaccinated or compensated with vaccines as recommended. Influenza, measles, chickenpox, meningococcus... which spread through the respiratory tract currently have vaccines in Vietnam.
The doctor noted that vaccines are part of the disease prevention plan and do not replace personal hygiene and measures to limit infection. Before the new school year, parents can bring their children's vaccination records to a medical facility to be checked and advised on missing shots and the appropriate vaccination time.
