Kids are the one of the most affected groups during flu season, especially when swine flu and seasonal flu stage a combined attack. However, there are several ways to keep young children, toddlers and preschoolers healthy during times when school is in session and the flu season sets in.
School & Day Care Sick Kid Policy Should be Strictly Enforced
Ensure that the school or daycare has a strict sick child policy. Kids can come into school only 24 hours after fever has passed without the use of a fever reducing medicine. Also, home based day cares may have loose rules with sick children. Parents should ensure that the baby sitter or home based day care provider is consistent with enforcing their sick kid policy.
Encourage Kids to Practice Good Personal Hygiene to Avoid Spreading Swine Flu Virus
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that parents get their kids vaccinated against swine flu, as soon as a vaccine becomes available. There are also some simple practices that kids can do everyday as part of personal hygiene to spread fewer germs.
- Have the child practice good hand hygiene. Have the child sing or hum the "Happy Birthday Song" to determine how long to wash hands.
- Parents can teach children to use a tissue to cough or sneeze into. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the inside of the upper arm.
What Can Parents do to Disinfect During Flu Season?
- Use Lysol® or Clorox® disinfecting wipes on commonly used surfaces to kill disease causing germs.
- Wash toys frequently in a warm soap solution - This can be done by soaking them for several minutes in a large tub and then scrubbing them with a dish scrubber. Rinse and soak the toys in a disinfecting solution for a couple minutes. Toys can be made available to the kids after air drying them.
- Travel with a hand sanitizer to disinfect in places where hand washing is not possible.
Balanced Nutrition and Reduced Stress Can Boost Immunity to Help Body Fight Disease Causing Germs
- Eating balanced, nutritious food is invaluable to maintain good health. Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits have vitamins and minerals that can enhance the body's disease fighting immune system. Building a good defense system for the body to ward illnesses also includes keeping the body hydrated with healthy soups, vegetable juices, herbal teas and plenty of water.
- Parents can get creative to get their children to eat nutritious food by cutting vegetables into shapes children like. Blending vegetables into purees and including it in children's favorite recipes is one way to sneak in vegetables into a toddler's diet.
- Stress causes the immune system to weaken as the "fight or flight" response sets in. For the whole family to stay healthy, parents should be able to handle and manage stress in a way that does not compromise their immunity. Parents finding ways to relax and rejuvenate could help the overall health of the family. Parents exercising regularly and kids staying active indoors and outdoors also help the family staying healthy and strong.
Other things to do to stay healthy during the flu season is to avoid swine flu parties, avoid physical contact with people known or suspected to be sick. Children should receive immediate medical care if they have trouble breathing, experience severe vomiting and fever, irritability, difficulty drinking water or interacting with others.
To learn more about swine flu vaccines, its symptoms and anti-viral drugs, also read How is Swine Flu Different From Seasonal Flu? To learn about natural supplements to boost your immunity and about what Doctors are saying about the use of colostrum (an ingredient of breast milk) to fight the swine flu, read Can Colostrum Fight Swine Flu Naturally?
Sources
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Education.com article about Swine Flu and Children, by Rose Garrett
Subha Ekambaram - I'm fascinated by the self healing processes of the human body and the alternative methods that accelerate it. I like to be present where ...
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