Keep Your Child Cold and Flu-Free
Keep Your Child Cold and Flu-Free
Back to school means reading, writing, and arithmetic. It also means colds, flu, and trips to the pediatrician. Wth reports of swine flu on the rise, parents have a lot more to worry about than the occasional runny nose. So, here are a few tips to keep your family safe:
Hand washing. We can't stress this enough, especially now. Charles Gerba, microbiologist at the University of Arizona, says it's the single most effective way of staying cold and flu free. Teaching your child to wash before eating is a no-brainer. Did you know they should also wash after recess? Playground equipment can be loaded with germs. Gerba also suggests telling children to cover their mouth with the crook of their elbow rather than their hands when they cough or sneeze. That stops them from leaving germs on things they touch.
Children with body aches, a cough, or a temperature above 100 degrees should stay home. Jean Grabeel is the coordinator of student health services for Springfield, Missouri Schools. She says that you should keep your child home until they're symptom-free for 24 hours. If one kid's sick and their siblings aren't, Grabeel suggests letting their teachers know so they can keep an eye on your other kids, and send them home at the first sign of illness.
Get your kids a water bottle. According to ABC news, drinking fountains are one of the top 10 germ hotspots.
When it comes to your kids and the flu, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. So, teach them to wash their hands often, get them their own water bottle, and check with your pediatrician about vaccines. That way, the only thing your children will bring home from school is homework.
Back to school means reading, writing, and arithmetic. It also means colds, flu, and trips to the pediatrician. Wth reports of swine flu on the rise, parents have a lot more to worry about than the occasional runny nose. So, here are a few tips to keep your family safe:
Hand washing. We can't stress this enough, especially now. Charles Gerba, microbiologist at the University of Arizona, says it's the single most effective way of staying cold and flu free. Teaching your child to wash before eating is a no-brainer. Did you know they should also wash after recess? Playground equipment can be loaded with germs. Gerba also suggests telling children to cover their mouth with the crook of their elbow rather than their hands when they cough or sneeze. That stops them from leaving germs on things they touch.
Children with body aches, a cough, or a temperature above 100 degrees should stay home. Jean Grabeel is the coordinator of student health services for Springfield, Missouri Schools. She says that you should keep your child home until they're symptom-free for 24 hours. If one kid's sick and their siblings aren't, Grabeel suggests letting their teachers know so they can keep an eye on your other kids, and send them home at the first sign of illness.
Get your kids a water bottle. According to ABC news, drinking fountains are one of the top 10 germ hotspots.
When it comes to your kids and the flu, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. So, teach them to wash their hands often, get them their own water bottle, and check with your pediatrician about vaccines. That way, the only thing your children will bring home from school is homework.
Comments