Many parents tell in SVT Nyheter Jämtland's chat that their children have been less ill during the pandemic.

They write that their children have not suffered from infections such as colds and stomach flu during the year.

Signature Sara says that they have not had to give birth during the year and this is something that has not happened to them before.



Changed routines



Several parents write that the reason why the children have stayed healthier is partly due to better hand hygiene, but also that sick children are not allowed to go to preschool.

Signature Rebecca writes that "the preschool is adamant about following recommendations".



There are also parents who do not agree.

The signature Ahmed experiences that the children still get sick at preschool.

Healthier children during the pandemic



In the chat, thoughts arose about what happens if the children do not get sick.

We contacted Inge Axelsson, former chief physician in paediatrics and adolescent medicine and now retired.



How will the children's immune system be affected now that they do not have colds / runny nose or stomach upset in the quarter?



- Up to about two years, the immune system is so poorly developed that it often does not prevent the child from getting the same infection again.

The older children, who have immunological memory, can probably get a small infection stop after the pandemic.

But during the swine flu in 2009, the infections in children also decreased (children use hand alcohol in preschool etcetera).

But as far as I know, there was no explosion of infection afterwards, he says.

Does not get worse immune system

Do you get a weaker immune system if you do not get sick as often?



- No, the immune system does not get worse, you react equally to new viruses and bacteria.

But you are immune to fewer viruses so you can get more infections.

Decline in visits to emergency rooms

Another question arose where a parent wondered if children had fewer accidents during the year.

Inge Axelsson writes that he has not seen Swedish statistics on it, but that international medical journals have studies that show a large decline in visits by both adults and children to emergency rooms.