If your household has managed to stay healthy thus far into autumn, then congratulations! Usually, cooler weather brings on the beginning of the cold season which means you are probably beginning to hear more sniffling and coughing from many of your child’s friends. Since the rotavirus is particularly dreadful beginning in November, it is likely you may even know of a few children who have already had the stomach bug.
It’s important to know that not all germs are bad. However, the ones that make us sick spread more easily during the colder months since the air is drier and because we tend to spend more time inside together. If your child attends a child care program or preschool, the likelihood of them getting a cold in the very near future is high even if the program is doing its best to stay germ free.
How Can You Help Your Family Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season?
Wash your hands well with soap and warm water frequently, and teach your children how to scrub their hands too!
Keep your hands away from your face – especially your mouth, nose and eyes – as that is the easiest way to carry germs into your body.
Cover your cough. Show your children how to cough into their elbow instead of their hands.
Take the whole family to get the flu shot. Better a small ouchie from the shot than the flu!
Help boost your family’s immunity through a healthy diet including more leafy greens, more fresh fruits and vegetables with vitamins C and D, and less sugar.
For babies, breastfeeding is great for your little one thanks to the immunity enhancing antibodies and white blood cells found in breast milk.
Make sure everyone is getting plenty of sleep.
What Should Your Child Care Center Do To Help Prevent Sickness?
Wash hands! Many programs will request that children wash their hands upon arrival and all through the day. (Be sure to ask your child to wash their hands before they leave for home and then again when you arrive home.)
Make sure that the classroom surfaces and toys are being disinfected regularly. This includes door knobs, countertops, chairs and tables, bathrooms, and frequently used shared materials.
Help teach all of the young ones how to properly cover their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, either with a tissue or their elbow. Then, make sure that hands are washed.
Communicate with parents about illnesses in the school.
Be firm when it comes to sick policies. If a child or staff member is sick, the best place for them is at home.
When Should You Keep Your Child Home From School?
If your child is running a temperature over 100.4 degrees, then they should stay home as it means that they are fighting an infection and are contagious.
A child who is vomiting or has diarrhea should not go to school.
A persistent cough, especially paired with a sore throat, irregular breathing or chest pain, could be the sign of a more serious illness.
It’s best to keep your child home 24-48 hours after their symptoms have stopped to be sure that they are no longer contagious.
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