January 01, 2021
It’s that time of year when germs are getting passed around at schools and public places. Here are some tips to keep the germs away.
1. Get a flu shot
There is nothing worse than having a sick child. Little ones are especially vulnerable to cold and flu viruses that can lead to serious illness. It’s recommended everyone gets a flu shot so the whole family is protected. Even if your child does catch the flu, having the vaccination significantly reduces the severity of symptoms and the need for hospitalization.
2. Teach proper handwashing
If you’ve ever been in an elementary school classroom, you know they are breeding grounds for germs. Kids put pencils, erasers and just about everything in their mouths and share them with friends. By modeling good handwashing techniques, you can teach kids to help prevent illness. First, make sure they are scrubbing for 20 to 30 seconds. A fun way to count the time is to sing the ABCs or Happy Birthday while washing. Then, spark interest in hand hygiene with some fruity-smelling, brightly colored or character-themed soaps.
3. Cover that cough
The rule used to be to cough or sneeze into your hands. Fortunately, we now know germs are much less likely to spread if we aim them into the crook of our arm. Show your children how to shield their coughs and sneezes with their arm or a tissue, and always follow with handwashing or hand sanitizer. Another point of entry for viruses is the eyes. Teach children to avoid touching their eyes and faces to help prevent highly contagious viruses like conjunctivitis.
4. Healthy foods = healthy kids
With picky eaters it may seem like a daunting challenge to get them to eat healthy foods, but there are sneaky ways to get it done. By incorporating some key foods into your kid’s diet, you will strengthen their immune system to help prevent and fight illness. A couple of foods with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties are garlic and mushrooms; try camouflaging these immune boosters in soups and pastas. Another super food pairing is berries and Greek yogurt. Berries are full of vitamin C and antioxidants, and Greek yogurt is packed with protein and lactobacillus. A kid-friendly way to combine the 2 is make a smoothie. Finally, brightly colored vegetables that are bursting with carotenoids and antioxidants can be added to pizzas or shaped into funny faces and then dipped in ranch dressing.
5. Balance activities with bedtime
Parents seem to spend much of their time shuttling kids from 1 activity to another. While it’s important for their health and immune systems, physical activities need to be followed with rest. Young children between the ages of 6-12 should get 9-12 hours of sleep each night, and 13-18-year-olds need 8-10 hours of shut eye. Not only does sleep help ward off illness, but it also helps with children’s emotional health, focus and cognitive function.
If the germs do get you and your family, you can schedule a visit at one of our family medicine or pediatrics locations. For more information, call 913-588-1227.