Despite how well you feed your child and build his immune system, the chances are he will come down with a viral infection this winter. Kids are 'naturals' when it comes to sharing germs. Unfortunately they’re also great at ‘hosting’ germs. The viral infection could be a cold or it could be a flu, and either way it’s not much fun for your child or for you. What can you do to safely and effectively treat symptoms of colds and flu once they’ve settled in? 

Read more: Traditional Remedies for Colds & Flu

This cold and flu season why worry when Mother Nature has a solution for every problem? Respiratory infections can sneak up on us, but instead of overreacting we can respond with a safe and effective solution.  Better to prepare ourselves adequately and make use of nature's wisdom than panic unnecessarily! As a mother and professional aromatherapist, I have trusted the wisdom of our ancestors who have basked in the immune-boosting benefits of natural essential oils. 

Read more: Essential Oils for Colds & Flu

Probiotic Strain Boosts Immune Response to Flu Virus. In a study published in the journal Postgraduate Medicine, researchers found that a specific strain of probiotics increased the body's immune response to the flu virus, specifically to influenza A. Swine flu, also known as H1N1, is a variant of influenza A.

Read more: REAL Research: Probiotic Strain Boosts Immune Response to Flu Virus

Probiotics May Be Useful Against Colds, Flu-Like Symptoms in Children. Probiotics may be useful to prevent cold and flu-like symptoms in children, according to the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Pediatrics, August 2009.

Read more: REAL Research: Probiotics for Colds & Flu

As parents, we want happy healthy children.  Sometimes it seems like a fight to get our children through the cold and flu season without major battle wounds.  Our suggestion is to play offensively.  Strengthen your child's immune system all year long,to prevent the struggle of treating cold and flu symptoms over and over and over again.  Focus your time, effort, energy (and money) on building your child's internal army.  Not only will he process colds and flus more effectively, he can better protect himself from immune system malfunctions that lead to allergies, asthma, eczema, auto-immune diseases, and cancer to name just a few. We take a 3 step approach to strengthening our children's immune systems: the basics, the supplements, and the extras.

Read more: Cold & Flu Solutions

One of the most common questions we hear from parents is "How do I strengthen my child's immune system?"Answer? Improve your child's digestive health, because 70% of your child's immune system is in his/her gut! This part of the immune system is referred to as GALT (Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue). While absorbing nutrition from the food we eat, our digestive system must discriminate safe nutrients from infectious or toxic intruders. To do so, the intestines rely on an effective barrier (healthy gut lining, mucus secretions and peristaltic movement) and the immune system within the gut or GALT.  

Read more: Tests for Immune Health

Moms always ask how they can better protect their children from the winter bugs. Winter is no different than summer; you keep your family healthy all year long the EXACT same way. The answer? Focus your time, effort, energy (and money) on strengthening your child's immune system.

Read more: About Colds & Flus

Fever is an elevation of body temperature above normal.  In children, fever is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, for example a cold, flu, or ear infection.  There is no single value that defines fever though there are some generally accepted guidelines:

Read more: Fever - Treat or Not to Treat?