Wintertime is a fun time for many people. Some look forward to participating in fun activities, such as skiing, ice skating and sledding. Some simply enjoy cold, brisk air instead of the hot, muggy days of summer. Although the winter months bring lots of fun for some people, it is also the season when people are more susceptible to illnesses such as influenza, common cold, and bronchitis.
Babies, especially newborns, are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses and bacteria because their immune systems haven’t yet become fully developed. This is why doctors often advise new parents against taking their newborns out in crowded stores and other public places, unless absolutely necessary. In large crowds, there are bound to be some sick individuals, coughing, sneezing, and spreading their germs throughout the area. Actually, there don’t even have to be sick people around in order to infect other people.
They can simply carry the virus or bacteria in their body, and when they touch certain surfaces, they transfer them, making them available for those with weakened immune systems to touch them, and subsequently become ill. This is especially easy for people who don’t practice good hygiene, such as hand washing. And babies are notorious for placing their hands and everything else into their mouths, which is of course an easy way for bacteria and viruses to be transmitted. Some places where people can really get sick are: Day care centers, air ports, doctor’s offices, shopping malls and hospitals. So, if these places can be avoided then a person will lessen their likelihood of becoming ill, but who can stay at home all the time? Not many people do, unless they are bedridden. Even babies must get out with their parents, when their parents have errands to run.
In fact, instead of going out less in the winter, many people go out more often. With shopping that needs to be done for Thanksgiving, and especially Christmas, there is no way for individuals to lessen the amount of time that they spend in the above-mentioned places