Your Kid At A Higher Respiratory Infection Risk Than Adults As Weather Changes; Why And Prevention

When the monsoon gives way to a brittle winter, parents start seeing the same pattern: runny noses, persistent coughs, fevers and a rise in clinic visits. It's not just the calendar. Weather transitions really do change the risk of respiratory infections and children are the group that pays the highest price. The reasons are biological, environmental and social and the good news is that simple and practical prevention steps can blunt that risk. Keep reading as we discuss why are kids at a higher risk of respiratory infections during season change and what preventative steps you can take to keep them safe.

Why children are more vulnerable as temperatures and humidity shift

1. Young children aren't just mini-us

Their immune systems are still maturing, and their airways are smaller, which means the same amount of swelling or mucus can impair breathing more. Infants and toddlers often lack prior exposure or immunity to circulating respiratory viruses, so when a virus hits a classroom or household it spreads fast.

2. Viruses and the environment interact

Lower temperature and lower absolute humidity which is common in the post-monsoon/early winter period in many parts of India favour survival and airborne spread of certain respiratory viruses, while sudden temperature drops can impair mucociliary clearance in the nose and throat. At the same time, indoor crowding raises transmission risk. Several recent reviews link climatic fluctuations to higher respiratory viral activity, particularly among children.

3. Air pollution worsens the problem

Fine particles and irritant gases from Diwali damage airway lining, increase inflammation and make infections more severe and many Indian cities see pollution spikes precisely when weather changes trap pollutants near the surface. That combination explains the seasonal surge in paediatric hospital admissions for bronchiolitis, pneumonia and bronchitis seen in surveillance and hospital reports.

4. Social factors matter

Under-vaccination, malnutrition and limited access to timely care increase vulnerability, while schools and day-care centres act as amplification hubs. In low-resource settings, these drivers explain much of the disproportionate burden of acute respiratory infections in young children.

Prevention tips to keep your kids safe from respiratory infections

1. Vaccinate on time

Seasonal influenza vaccination (for eligible age groups) and staying up to date with routine childhood vaccines reduce the likelihood of severe disease and hospitalisation. Check local paediatric guidance for recommended vaccines and timing.

2. Improve indoor air quality and ventilation

Open windows when outdoor air quality allows; use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Mechanical purification (HEPA-grade purifiers) helps in highly polluted cities, especially in rooms where a sick child rests. Clean indoor air reduces both particulate irritation and airborne viral load.

3. Teach hand hygiene and cough etiquette

Frequent handwashing with soap, and cough/sneeze etiquette (elbow or tissue), are simple but highly effective measures to reduce transmission in homes and schools. Provide tissues and hand-wash stations in child-care settings.

4. Use masks selectively 

For infants with fragile respiratory status, or for caregivers during surges of influenza/RSV/COVID-19, masks in crowded indoor settings can reduce exposure. Choose well-fitting masks for adults; masks for very young children can be impractical.

5. Maintain good nutrition and breastfeeding

Exclusive breastfeeding for infants and balanced diets for older children strengthen immune responses. Micronutrient sufficiency reduces infection severity.

Weather changes and climate variability alter the playground for respiratory viruses and children, by virtue of biology and exposure patterns, are more likely to get sick and suffer complications. But the combination of health measures can sharply reduce that risk. For Indian parents and clinicians, the task is to pair awareness of seasonal signals with actions many of which are low cost and highly effective.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

References

Evaluating the Effect of Climate on Viral Respiratory Infections, NCBI: 2024.

Climate Change and Childhood Respiratory Health: A Call to Action, NCBI: 2020.

Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infections among Children in India, NCBI: 2022.

Risk Factors for Respiratory Viral Infections: A Spotlight on Air Pollution, NCBI: 2023.

Extreme temperatures increase the risk of pediatric respiratory events, Frontiers in Pediatrics / Frontiers: 2024.

A Prospective Three-Year Cohort Study of the Epidemiology of ARI in Indian Children, PLOS ONE / PLOS: 2007.