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Community Corner

Keeping Kids Healthy During Cold & Flu Season

Tips from an expert on keeping kids healthy during winter.

One of the toughest jobs parents face over the next few months is keeping their children healthy during the cold and flu season. A sniffle turns into a cold, a cold turns into the flu, and the flu keeps the children out of school for a few days.

Christine Verna, M.D. with The Center For Advanced Pediatrics, has a few tips for keeping children healthy during the cold and flu season, which usually runs from December through February.

  1. Get A Flu Shot. "The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu shot. It's not too late to get one for it to be effective. The flu season hasn't fully hit yet."
  2. Wash Hands Often. "Make sure children wash their hands with alcohol-based sanitizers often to kill germs and prevent them from spreading.
  3. Teach Children Proper Technique. "Parents should teach their children to sneeze and cough into the crook of elbow or sleeve. Covering mouth or nose with the hand allows germs to spread."
  4. Allow Kids To Get Rest. "Kids are active with school, sports, and playing musical instruments and are always on the go. Make sure to give them some down time to allow them to catch up on their rest. If they don't get proper rest, they can get worn down and be more susceptible to colds and the flu."
  5. Dress properly."If kids are not dressed warmly enough or go outside with their hair wet, it can lead to getting chills which is another stressor on the body."

If a child gets sick, knowing when to send he or she back to school can be a tough decision. Verna says that children should be fever free for 24-hours before returning to school. If they are coughing occasionally but still are fatigued, then the children should probably remain at home. Verna feels that it's always best to err on the side of caution.

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For more on the best preventive medicines and keeping your children healthy during the cold and flu season, you can check out healthychildren.org.

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