ACHOO – The Cold Season Is Not Over Yet

Little hands are everywhere. At no time does this teeny fact of life become more obvious than when young children are sick with the common cold or flu.

The 2012-2013 flu season started early last year - in October 2012 - and may continue on as late as May, though the actual course of potential new flu outbreaks can be rather unpredictable. Nevertheless, this is even more reason for us providers working with small children to stock up on hand soap, have one-way towels handy, and keep our bleach-dilute sanitizing bottles always filled. Sick days can get pretty yucky and germs spread quickly.

Here are a few tried and true tips on how to keep young learners and their surrounding areas clean and their peers (hopefully) protected:

1. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly! (This one is the no-brainer of all infectious disease prevention tips, of course) Wet hands, add soap, rub and scrub all sides of your child’s hands (backhand, palm, between fingers, underneath nails, if possible) for up to 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and then dry on a disposable towel to prevent others from using the same (already contaminated) one. Teaching kids at an early age to wash their hands before and after eating meals, after using the bathroom, after touching a pet, and after playing with shared objects is an important habit to instill.

2. Prevent children from sharing foods with each other. While sharing is a valued gesture, ensuring that each child sticks to the foods on his/her own plate will prevent the spread of germs.

3. Teach children how to cover their mouths by coughing or sneezing into their sleeves rather than the palms of their hands.

4. Help your child avoid contact with eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, to avoid spreading droplets that may contain the virus.

5. Keep high-traffic play areas or toys clean and sterilize items after your child is finished playing with them.

6. Last, but definitely not least: Ensure that your child has received a flu vaccination or mist prior to the beginning of the flu season. At the end of the day, this is likely the most sure-fire way to reduce your child’s chances of becoming infected with a currently circulating flu strain.

Of course, if your little guy is sick with a fever, be sure to keep him home until he’s been at least 24 hours fever-free. A sick child does not make for a happy child.