Cold and Flu Prevention!
Keep your kids healthy this winter season by doing these few
simple things!!1. Watch Google Flu Trends (google.org/flutrends) to stay on top of flu-related topics!
2. Be aware of air quality if your child suffers from respiratory illness (eg. Asthma). Know when a “play inside day” is most appropriate! You can find out air quality at airnow.gov and pollen counts at pollen.com.
3. Evidence shows that getting enough vitamin D can cut back the number of colds in half! Kids vitamin D levels tend to be the lowest during cold and flu season…especially in Minnesota! Probiotics can also help keep kids healthy.
4. Good old fashioned TLC! Hydrate, wrap up in a blanket and take it easy!
5. The best way to prevent illness is teach your child how to sneeze and cough into the inside of their elbows, keep surfaces clean and GOOD HAND WASHING!!!! 30 seconds of vigorous hand washing with warm water and soap is important! Sing the ABC’s while washing to make hand washing fun for your kids and ensure thoroughness!
“The Next Generate Cold and Flu Guid” by Greene, M.D. Parenting , November 2012. Pg 89-92.
