Ways To Keep Your Children Illness Free

It is flu season again and this year people are on high alert as never before. With the threat of new strains of flu, as well as seasonal flu and colds, people are taking every conceivable option to insulate themselves from contracting sickness. Schools are taking extra precautions this year, preforming thorough room cleanings each day, making sure that every paper towel dispenser and every paper towel dispenser full and useable for hand washing, giving arriving students liquid hand sanitization, and making sure that arriving students are fever free. Parents can assist the school district as they develop healthy routines. Working together, the parents and the school district can do all possible to keep illness to a minimum. The following are a few quick ways parents can try to insulate their children from coming down with illness.

• First and foremost on a medical precautions list is a warning to exercise good hand washing practices. Thorough and frequent hand washing is one of the easiest defenses to keep those germs away. Remember that children are not always the best hand washers so teach your children the proper way to wash and help them as it is needed. Wash hands prior to meals, after using the restroom, and upon arriving home after being out.

• Keep hands away from facial areas such as eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs are so easily transmitted through these outlets and keeping dirty fingers away from such pathways is invaluable. Pay extra attention to very young children who may still put fingers or toys in their mouth.

• Keep some hand sanitizer with you when you are out. For those times when hand washing is impossible, carry along some hand sanitizer. Convenient travel sprays or handy wipes are available.

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. When a child is tired, their immune system does not function as well as it could. Part of keeping your child healthy is allowing him to get adequate rest.

• Feed your child foods packed with vitamins and minerals. Healthy food is a great defense against illness. A healthy diet filled with nutrients provides added energy to fight off sickness.

• If your child does become ill, keep him isolated from others until he has been fever free for at least a day. The temptation to get back into routine too soon after illness can be great, especially when a parent is forced to put in for a sick day or a child is restless to get out of the house. Rushing recovery can lead to set back or the onset of even more dangerous sickness.

Parents who chose to work with the school to keep their kids healthy may just help avoid a serious onset of flu in their district. With both schools and parents promoting good common sense precautions, and looking for any signs of illness in the children, the spread of the flu and other winter time viruses mayjust be kept at bay. Teach your child good habits and take the time tobe mindful of any symptoms that might be present. A little precaution can go quite far when it comes to good health.