Good question, since as sure as the mercury drops, cold and flu
viruses make the rounds through homes and schools each year. If only
there were a way to guarantee that your child won't get sick.
What's more, most people stricken by winter viruses are contagious before they develop symptoms. So pulling your child away from a sniffling, coughing, or sneezing pal doesn't guarantee that he won't come down with similar symptoms himself.
Neither will bundling him up: Studies have shown that exposure to cold or damp weather doesn't increase a child's likelihood of catching a cold.
Still, don't give up without a fight. There are several simple steps you can take to help fend off germs and keep your child as healthy as possible this winter.
What's more, most people stricken by winter viruses are contagious before they develop symptoms. So pulling your child away from a sniffling, coughing, or sneezing pal doesn't guarantee that he won't come down with similar symptoms himself.
Neither will bundling him up: Studies have shown that exposure to cold or damp weather doesn't increase a child's likelihood of catching a cold.
Still, don't give up without a fight. There are several simple steps you can take to help fend off germs and keep your child as healthy as possible this winter.
So what should I do?
While
it's practically inevitable that your child will get a few colds this
winter no matter what you do, it won't hurt to try these germ-fighting
strategies:
Make sure your child washes his hands.
Regular hand washing is the simplest, most effective way to get rid of cold and flu bugs.
Teach your child not to touch his eyes or nose.
At any given moment, the unwashed human hand is covered with thousands of germs. When a child rubs his eyes or nose, he's depositing those germs directly onto his mucous membranes, where they're rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
So in addition to having your child wash his hands frequently, remind him not to touch his eyes or rub his nose. Instead, teach him to use a tissue — or at least a clean sleeve — to dab at teary eyes or an itchy nose.
While you're at it, teach your child to use tissues when he sneezes or coughs — or to "catch" his coughs and sneezes in the crook of his arm. This won't prevent him from getting a virus, but it will help keep him from giving one
Do what you can to boost your child's immunity naturally.
Offer your child a variety of healthy foods so he gets the nutrients he needs. Make sure he gets plenty of sleep each night as well as lots of physical activity every day.
Make sure your child washes his hands.
Regular hand washing is the simplest, most effective way to get rid of cold and flu bugs.
Teach your child not to touch his eyes or nose.
At any given moment, the unwashed human hand is covered with thousands of germs. When a child rubs his eyes or nose, he's depositing those germs directly onto his mucous membranes, where they're rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.
So in addition to having your child wash his hands frequently, remind him not to touch his eyes or rub his nose. Instead, teach him to use a tissue — or at least a clean sleeve — to dab at teary eyes or an itchy nose.
While you're at it, teach your child to use tissues when he sneezes or coughs — or to "catch" his coughs and sneezes in the crook of his arm. This won't prevent him from getting a virus, but it will help keep him from giving one
Do what you can to boost your child's immunity naturally.
Offer your child a variety of healthy foods so he gets the nutrients he needs. Make sure he gets plenty of sleep each night as well as lots of physical activity every day.
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