Shoo The Flu - Tips To Prevent Your Child From Getting Sick

Influenza (flu) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus.

Influenza can cause mild or severe illness, pneumonia, and other complications. Children under five years of age and adolescents who have a chronic disease are at risk of severe complications caused by influenza. These complications can lead to hospitalization.

Family of four with two kids playing outside having fun

Children are especially vulnerable when being exposed to the cold weather and are more prone to diseases, especially if they’re in contact with other children in daycare centers. Their immune system is not matured enough, and they do not have the same defensive capacity as adults. Many parents wonder what they can do to prevent their children from getting common winter diseases. To help prevent your child from catching the flu or similar illnesses, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Make sure your child gets the flu vaccine this season

It's not too late for your children to get the vaccine. Although it cannot completely prevent your child from contracting the flu (usually it is 70% effective), it can reduce the illness if it is contagious and make the symptoms milder.

Keep their hands and the objects they touch clean

This is the most critical time of the year to wash their hands often with running water and soap. It’s important that you teach your children to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Flu viruses can live up to eight hours on surfaces, so try to remove them from toys, handles, counters, tables, telephones, TV remotes, and others using a cleaning product that eliminates & kills bacteria.

In addition to asking your child to wash their hands often, remind them not to rub their eyes or their nose. You can start by teaching them to use disposable tissues to wipe a tearful eye or rub their nose when it is itchy. Teach them also to use disposable tissues when sneezing or coughing.