Cold & Flu Prevention:
- Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently using plenty of soap and warm water. Proper hand-washing should take about 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Teach your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their sleeve.
- Keep the child’s environment tobacco free.
- Try to minimize the time your child spends with other children who have cough or cold symptoms.
- Pack easy-to-use products like disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizers in your child’s back pack to use when he or she is at school.
- Keep an annual well-child exam to follow changes in your child’s health.
- Keep all of your child’s immunizations up-to-date (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines now recommend a flu vaccine for most children aged 6months up to their 19th birthday)
- Serve a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Give a daily vitamin may be recommended by your pediatrician.
- After your child is feeling better, clean all surfaces; was all bedding and air out the room.
- Keep surfaces like door knobs, cell phones, remote controls, toys, and keyboards clean.
- Always make sure to consult your school nurse or doctor if you have any questions.
Cold Medicine Safety
When used as directed, children’s cough and cold medicines help relieve cough and cold symptoms while your child is getting better. Read and follow the directions carefully and give exact recommended dose for the child’s age and/or weight. Do not use over the counter cough and cold medications for children under the age of four in the U.S.