7 Smart Tips For Protecting Your Child From The Flu
Cold and flu season is no joke, especially if you’re taking care of little ones and looking after the health and wellness of your whole family. Although every family is different, there are quite a few universal precautions that everyone could take in order to protect against the flu. Whether you have little ones, older kids or even a baby in the mix, there are a few smart tips that you can keep in mind when protecting everybody against the flu. Here are some of the top ones.
1. Mask Up
Wearing masks is something that’s definitely been popularized since the era of COVID-19, but COVID isn’t the only illness that can be prevented by wearing face masks. There are plenty of other places in the world where it’s perfectly common to wear a mask in order to prevent all kinds of illnesses, and we may just see that practice sticking around. Plus, you should still protect yourself against COVID anyway.
2. Wash Hands
It’s always important to wash your hands, but it’s especially crucial during cold and flu season. Make sure that your kids are regularly washing their hands thoroughly in order to keep germs away. There are a variety of key times that you should be washing your hands, like before you eat and after using the toilet, and it’s important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds at a time.
3. Get Flu Shots
One of the most effective ways to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. Your entire family should get vaccinated as long as they are able, which can help stop the spread of the flu both within your household and to the people that you know. This includes getting yourself vaccinated in order to stop the spread to others who might not be able to get the vaccine. The flu vaccine is also extremely effective in lowering your risk of complications, severe illness and death. You can also get the flu vaccine at any time.
Additionally, if you or a family member does contract the flu, remember to stay hydrated and rest. Cold IV fluids for fever may be recommended by your healthcare provider to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery. It's essential to follow their guidance and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen.
4. Make Sure Everyone Is Sleeping
This health tip is important pretty much all year long, but it can be especially helpful during cold and flu season. In order to strengthen your immune system, it’s important to make sure that everybody in your household is getting enough sleep each night. Rest is the time when your body is supposed to recover, and this goes for kids and adults alike. Just make sure that everybody in your house is getting the rest that they need in order to stay healthy and safe.
5. Don’t Send Them to School Sick
One of the most controversial and short-sighted things that you can do during cold and flu season is going to work or school sick. Even though it can be tempting to tell the kiddos to tough it out and send them off to class anyway, that can be a short-sighted choice, especially with the spread of illnesses and how quickly they travel. Even when it comes to a little cold or a case of the sniffles, sending your child to school can leave them vulnerable to worse infections. It’s best to let them stay home if they are under the weather so that they can recover quickly.
6. Clean the House
If you want to protect everybody in your home from cold and flu season, one of the best things that you can do on a consistent basis is cleaning the house. By disinfecting surfaces and keeping everything clean, you can stop the spread of germs and infections from coming into your home.
7. Cover Sneezes and Coughs
This is a great tip for you to keep in mind and for you to teach your kids. Make sure that whenever you sneeze or cough, you cover your mouth with a tissue or even cough into your arm or elbow so as not to spread germs around the room. It might seem like a simple task, but it can actually prevent the spread of illnesses.
Protecting Your Kids From Cold and Flu Season
There are plenty of ways you can protect yourself and your family from cold and flu season, from washing your hands to masking up. Are you ready for the weather to turn this year?