Flu shots, washing hands give kids a (germ) fighting chance

My kids seem to get sick from their classmates at school. What steps can we take to keep them healthy, especially during flu season?

Children have the tendency to touch a lot of things in public places and those items are usually covered in germs, especially during cold and flu season.

One of the things we highly recommend during this time of the year when viruses are active is that parents vaccinate their children to protect them against the flu. Yearly flu shots are important because all children are at risk for very serious complications from the flu, especially children with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

We also recommend parents make sure their children always wash their hands, especially if they’re in public places. Germs have the tendency to spread easily from hands and that can make children sick.

To properly wash hands, have them use warm water and soap, make sure they scrub both hands for at least 20 seconds, and then dry them with a single-use towel. If you don’t have access to water and soap, use hand sanitizer to keep their hands free from germs.

Try to keep your child from spreading viruses by practicing certain habits like sneezing or coughing into an elbow, and avoiding contact with their own eyes, nose and mouth. Have them wash hands often, especially after they blow their nose or cough, and throw away used tissues immediately.

If your child ends up catching the flu, it’s recommended you keep your child home from school until the symptoms have subsided and any fever has disappeared. If your child is sick, it’s likely they are highly contagious, so others should avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging or touching.

With the flu, it’s important to keep your child hydrated and if he or she is not able to keep fluids down, contact your pediatrician or take your child to the nearest health-care provider or emergency room.