If you have multiple children, you may have noticed that when one child gets sick, the rest of the family often follows suit.

A new study has found that having an older sibling significantly increases the likelihood that a younger child will catch respiratory viruses like the flu and colds. This research has important implications for families and pediatric healthcare providers.

The Study

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Utah and published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. It included 462 families with at least two children under the age of 18.

The researchers followed these families for a year, tracking the occurrence and severity of respiratory illnesses.

The Results

The study found that children with older siblings were more likely to catch respiratory viruses than those without older siblings.

Specifically, younger children with older siblings were 3 times more likely to get sick with flu-like illnesses and 4 times more likely to get sick with rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.

Interestingly, the study found that this increased risk did not appear to be related to how frequently the older sibling got sick. Instead, it may have to do with the fact that older siblings bring home more viruses from outside the home (e.g.

from school or daycare).

What This Means for Families

If you have multiple children, it can be tough to prevent the spread of illness between them. However, there are some strategies that may help:.

Encourage Good Hand Hygiene

The flu and cold viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours, so it’s important to encourage frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer.

Teach your children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before meals, and after sneezing or coughing.

Teach Kids to Cover Their Mouths

Sneezing and coughing are two of the main ways respiratory viruses spread. Teach your children to cover their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, and to use tissues when possible.

Make sure there are tissues readily available throughout the house.

Keep Sick Kids Separated

If one child does get sick, try to keep them separated from the rest of the family as much as possible. This can be tough in small living spaces, but even just keeping the sick child in their own room can help prevent the spread of illness.

Get Vaccinated

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. Getting your whole family vaccinated can help prevent the flu from spreading between siblings.

Conclusion

The new study on respiratory viruses and siblings highlights the importance of taking steps to prevent the spread of illness in families.

By encouraging good hand hygiene, teaching kids to cover their mouths, keeping sick kids separated, and getting vaccinated, parents can help protect their children from respiratory viruses.