Managing health for young kids can seem impossible since they are in school during flu season and are going to be around other kids who might be sick. However, there are a number of things parents can do to help keep their kids healthy this flu season and reduce the potential for the kids to bring home anything to the rest of the family.
Get Vaccinated and Seek Care Early When Sick
It is a good idea to get vaccinated against the flu to help prevent kids from catching it. If they do end up sick, it is a good idea to seek medical help for anything that’s more serious, such as a high fever, as it could indicate a complication or be more serious than just the flu. Parents can look into clinics offering free medical care to make sure they get fast medical care when needed for their child.
Encourage Hand Washing
Parents will want to encourage kids to wash their hands frequently during the day. If the kid is at school, talk to the teacher about reminding the kids to wash their hands. Parents can also donate soap or hand sanitizer to make sure it’s available in the classroom and to help ensure their child is able to use it throughout the day to prevent illnesses.
Teach Kids to Cover When Sneezing or Coughing
It is important to teach kids to cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough. Kids can’t always get to tissues in time, though, so it is a good idea to teach them to cough or sneeze into their sleeves. By doing this, they are catching any potential contaminants in the sleeve and not letting it spread around the room, possibly causing someone else to get sick. Even very young children can learn this and it can be an effective way to help prevent the spread of germs.
Wipe Surfaces with Disenfectant Regularly
It is a good idea to disinfect high-touch surfaces in the home at least daily to help prevent the spread of diseases. This includes things like counters, light switches, doorknobs, bathrooms, and more. Disinfecting kills off the flu virus, that could otherwise survive on the surface for a period of time, so it’s less likely that if someone gets sick, it will spread throughout the home.
Keep Kids Home When They’re Sick
It is crucial for parents to keep kids home when they’re sick. In most cases, the child should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before they can return to school. If they have a fever, for instance, they must be fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours before they return to school. This not only allows the child to get rest and recover, but it helps prevent the spread of illnesses to other kids. Check with the school guidelines to know the exact timeline for when the child can return to school.
Use the information here to help keep your kids healthy, teach them to take proactive steps to stay healthy, and handle illnesses to feel better as quickly as possible. By taking small steps, like teaching them to wash their hands more frequently, it’s possible to reduce the potential for anyone to get sick this flu season so everyone in the family stays as healthy as possible.