Need urgent help to boost dcs immunity. Elderberry ? Echinacea? Help

[ImmunityBoost]

Dcs are ill ALL the time.
Already been giving multivitamin and iron plus a vit d spray
Healthy food, extra vaccinations privately .

I’ve read about elderberry and echinacea do either actually work ? I’m actually desperate as we are in serious trouble re attendance (they also have long term conditions so illness on top is a disaster).
Can vicks first defence (if you can still get it?) be used for children (under 7?)

We give Manuka honey too

I’m so stressed is there anything else to boost immunity ?
Thanks

Regular exercise

We get them as much fresh air as possible but due to pre existing conditions they can’t exercise too much but we figured fresh air and even a slow walk is still beneficial ?

You're doing all you can. Make sure.they regularly wash their hands.

Be careful with Echinacea if anyone is your family is effected by an autoimmune disease. I can’t take it due to MS and the disease modifying therapy I am taking.

Could they take hand sanitizer to school, and use it before eating etc, may help the germs.

But sounds like you are doing everything you can. Spring is around the corner hopefully these horrible bugs will disappear.

This may sound daft, but are they warm enough throughout the day? DS often gets ill and he refuses to wear a jumper at home. He always feels cold, and is then often ill. I work on the theory that his body is too busy trying to warm him up that it has no energy left to fight off bugs!

Fresh air is certainly good, but I think for exercise to be beneficial, the heart rate needs to be raised which a slow walk wouldn't do. DS has mobility issues so we got advice on what he could do from a physio.

Biona kefir from health food shop

Sambucol for kids - I know people who swear by it
Probiotics - not sure whether they make a difference but can't hurt to try

My DC isn't school age yet so I don't know anything about the attendance rules but surely there must be some kind of allowance or exemption for children with long term health conditions or disabilities? It's not as if children can help getting ill

hygiene (including washing towels, bedding, underwear at a hot temperature)
sleep
exercise (preferably outside in daylight)
nutrition (eat the 'rainbow')

vit d3 is good and important.

I will have a look into probiotics and kefir Thankyou. We keep them nice and warm and try not to have central heating on too high though as it seems to dry airways and can make their coughs linger so we use hot water bottles extra blankets etc and warm drinks
Ive tried honey lemon and turmeric recently too. I am wondering about extra vit c and zinc it’s in their multi vit but maybe they need a bit more
Been making more casseroles and soups too
No, there are it seems no allowances made. We are having a really hard time with it and have to prove that all illnesses genuine and even then we get a hard time each occurrence. They just keep catching everything I’m at my wits end it’s one thing worrying about them as parents then the added stress of hassle from school 😔

Agree not echinacea due to the risk in autoimmune conditions

@immunityboost, you might all be a bit overloaded with crap that none of us can avoid with modern life. We're trying really hard to sort our family health out, prompted by youngest DCs severe learning difficulties and a premature death in the family. Obvious ones like diet (protein and green leafy veg rich), exercise and fresh air. Don't touch anymore of the chemical crap i.e. Vicks first response, you need to clean out your systems not add more crap. Have you thought of bone broth? Absolute ancient method of boosting immunity.l and massive health benefits. Google Wellness Mama and Bone Broth. Vitamin C. Multi vit for children, good quality ones.. We use Cytoplan.. They are really helpful over the phone for advising the best for you. For what it's worth, we've also made an effort to get more houseplants! They're great fro cleaning the air in your home, I live my peace lilies and English ivy! Finally TRS for something more full on..theres a Facebook group for it... Maybe worth a look and a read-up for your family. Good luck 🍀

I wonder if an air purifier / humidifier would help?

Sleep
Are you limiting diet at all i.e. veggie? My friend had to reluctantly reintroduce meat as her family were struggling this way.
Prebiotics I think have good evidence compared to probiotics.

Are their pre-existing conditions ones that tend to affect immune system? Might be best to name the conditions.

Echinacea is not recommended for under 12's btw. Sambucol if they are younger than that.

My DD is prone to colds, she gets way more than average. I was the same at her age so I shouldn't be too surprised but you have my absolute sympathy at the dread of letting school know that they are sick again!