Keep Your Kids Flu Free
We know that it can be hard when your child starts coughing, sneezing, or running a fever with all of this going on, you might not have time to think about what else they need to stay healthy—especially if you’ve already got their prescriptions filled at the pharmacy down the street. But there are some things that every parent should do no matter how busy they get! A healthy lifestyle will keep kids more nutritious and prepared to fight the flu.
Keep Your Kids Flu Free
The following twenty tips have been gathered to keep your kids healthy through the year.
#1. Steers clear of sick friends and family members. Too many germs in close contact could be the difference between being healthy or quarantined in bed this summer.
#2. Keep your kids active and healthy during the day.
Keeping your children busy outside will help keep them away from germs lurking in schools or public places. Be sure to schedule outdoor activities for after their dinner time to avoid getting sick at night.
#3. Wash your hands! Regularly to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
Washing your hands can reduce the number of germs in contact with your child’s body. “Studies show that many children do not wash their hands regularly, even after using the bathroom or coughing or sneezing,” said Dr. Melanie Peterson, assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. “Handwashing is the most important defense against infectious diseases.”
#4. Seek medical attention if your child exhibits any of these symptoms.
If you find that your child has one or more of the following symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor immediately. Diarrhea, vomiting, chest congestion for longer than two days, fever over 103° Fahrenheit, skin rash, ear pain or redness, persistent cough.
#5. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
To prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, make sure not to use antibiotics unless necessary.
#6. Be sure to keep all doctor’s visits throughout the year so your child is ready for school.
Keeping your children up to date on vaccinations will help prevent vaccine-preventable diseases, including chickenpox, whooping cough, meningitis, and flu.
#7. Get your children the right amount of sleep to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
every night to help their immune systems fight off infections.
#8. Make sure that your children eat nutritious foods.
while staying away from too many sugary snacks that will only cause energy highs and lows throughout the day.
#9. Make sure that wherever your child goes, they have a bottle of hand sanitizer available.
By having hand sanitizer in your car, at home, and in your backpack, they will be sure to keep away all the germs that are lurking everywhere.
#10. Put aside extra money for sick days to help with doctor’s visits and medication bills.
Get your child ready for school by putting aside a little bit of money each month so you’ll be prepared if they get sick this year.
#11. Get your child vaccinated!to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
Ensure that your child gets all their vaccinations according to the CDC’s recommended schedule.
Help protect them from vaccine-preventable illnesses by ensuring that they have been vaccinated against diseases such as chickenpox, whooping cough, meningitis, and flu.
#12. Teach your children to cover their mouths and noses when they sneeze or cough. By teaching them, this simple technique early on, you will help keep germs from spreading all over the place.
#13 – Vitamin C to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
Boost the immune system is essential at any time, especially during winter. You can do this by introducing more vitamin C into your diet—Munch on oranges, lemon, or grapefruit. Add flavoring to their water for a refreshing drink. Or squeeze them into juice and offer it as a bedtime snack.
#14 – Clean Air to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
Fresh air is much better than stale, dry air. If your home lacks proper ventilation, you can always open the windows for a few minutes daily. But be sure to close them before you leave. Keeping dirty laundry piled up in the corner is not good either since clothes leftover for long periods can harbor bacteria that can be very harmful.
#15 – Healthy Lungs
Healthy lungs equal healthy children, so keeping them clean and healthy is essential. Get rid of dust mites by covering mattresses and pillows with allergy-protecting covers, washing bedding in hot water once a week to kill the tiny insects, vacuuming the carpet daily, and using a damp cloth with a mild detergent to wipe off surfaces in your child’s room.
#16 – Vitamin D-rich foods
This vitamin is essential for the development of bones and teeth, plus it also keeps children free from respiratory illnesses. Eat more foods rich in Vitamin D, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs.
#17- Pneumonia vaccinations to Keep Your Kids Flu Free
Insurance companies cover most childhood vaccines, so check with your pediatrician to see if you need to take advantage of this. If not, make sure to get them yourself. Remember that pneumonia will affect one out of three children before they celebrate their second birthday. And can also lead to missed days at school and the emergency room.
#18 – Don’t forget about your baby
Remember that babies less than six months old should not be exposed to cold weather since their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Protect them from the elements by bundling them up when you go outside. And make sure they don’t touch their hands to their eyes, nose, and mouth.
#19 – Avoid touching your nose and mouth
Do you know that there are more infectious germs around your house than outside? You can avoid getting sick by not touching or covering the area around the nostrils, gums, and cracks in your lips with dirty hands, either.
#20 – Learn the Throat Infection Trick
Sticking your tongue out as far as you can then touching the back of it with your index finger will tell you if you have a throat infection. If it feels dry or bumpy, then the chances are that you’re dealing with an illness.
#21 – No Smoking Please
If someone in your home smokes, it is best to get them to stop. Smoking creates other problems aside from smoking alone since cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can damage children’s and adults’ lungs and respiratory systems.
#22 – Keep away from places with high pollution levels
If you have asthma, avoid areas with lots of cars or trucks around because these release lots of air pollutants. Such sites include highways, the inner city, and the industrial-developed regions.
#23 – Get plenty of rest
Take a two or three-day break from school to recuperate faster if you feel sick. Resting is essential since it allows your body to focus its energy on fighting the infection rather than having to worry about attending school.
#24 – Clean all surfaces daily
Remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? This holds for colds and flu since germs can linger on countertops, doorknobs, light switches, toys, and other objects that your child touches during the day. Make sure to keep these objects wiped clean and throw in a disinfecting wipe to your shopping list.
#25 – Love your pets but don’t take them everywhere
Your dog or cat can carry disease-causing bacteria that could get passed on to children. Keep them healthy by not letting them lick your child’s face and hands, and regularly wash your child’s hands.
#26 – Vaccination Time!
Did you know that the flu vaccine isn’t just for people over 65 years old? All children should be vaccinated, especially those with chronic respiratory problems. It is best to vaccinate them before winter starts rather than wait until the virus has spread all around.
#27 – The name of the game is deep breathing
Deep breathing exercises have been scientifically proven to help reduce stress and anxiety, lowering the chances of contracting respiratory illnesses. Try taking 10-minute walks three times a day with your child or doing some yoga before bedtime.
#28 – Get rid of stuffed toys for good
If you’d like to give your child a toy to cuddle with, make sure it is completely washable. Stuffed toys can house dust mites, fungus, and germs even after being washed several times. And only purchase new ones if they’re on sale.
#29 – Let them play outside
While this seems to contradict the fact above, exposing your child to open-air can help strengthen their immune system. Just make sure that they don’t spend too much time in the cold and make them wear scarf and warm clothes when they go out for a walk, and gloves of course.
#30 – Don’t let work get in the way of rest
If your child’s sick, do not be afraid to take some time off work so that you can take care of them. It is more important for your child to build up their immune system than for you to bring in the big bucks at the office.
Conclusion
There are many different types of preventative measures one can take to ensure their child’s health. It is essential for all parents to safeguard their kids against illness because they are true treasures in life.
It is also essential to maintain a healthy household for your kids by reducing the number of people in close contact with your child. A healthy lifestyle means fewer germs, leading to a more beneficial immune system.
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