• Staying Clear of Cold & Flu Season

  • Whether your child is the healthiest kid at school or the one most prone to sickness, cold and flu season is on the way. That means chances are good your child will be bumping elbows with at least a few kids with a bad case of the sniffles. But that’s not the say you can’t help your child avoid getting sick. Here are a few good ways to help your child get through cold and flu season unscathed.

    1. Have Your Kids Vaccinated – Most pediatricians will recommend kids of every age, and even adults, get a seasonal influenza vaccine. Any TV doctor or tabloid that tells you otherwise simply isn’t giving you the facts. A vaccine can not only prevent your child from getting the flu, but ultimately, it can help prevent the flu from spreading so readily among kids.

    2. Get Plenty of Sleep to Keep the Immune System Strong – Sleep is vital to a child’s health, and getting the right amount of sleep can even help keep the immune system in check. That means the flu will have to try a bit harder to get past your child’s defenses. 8 to 12 hours is recommended for most school-aged kids.

    3. Cleanliness is the Key to Flu Season Victory – Preventing the spread of germs is the first step in getting through cold and flu season without incident. Make sure your kids are washing their hands regularly with warm water, and don’t shy away from the hand sanitizer.

    4. Keep Hydrated to Keep Healthy – Fluids are important to keeping your child healthy, whether preventing illness or knocking it out of the system. Illnesses like colds and flus can dehydrate the body, slowing down the immune system and making it harder to get better. Have your child drink lots of water throughout the season to ensure the cold and flu stay away.