As the flu season approaches, it’s important to start thinking about how to keep your kids healthy. The best way to do this is by getting them vaccinated. However, there are other things you can do to help reduce their risk of getting sick.
- First, make sure they are getting their flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot. If your child is younger than six months, talk to their doctor about whether or not they should get the vaccine.
- Make sure they’re washing their hands regularly and properly. Teach them to cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue.
- Encourage them to eat healthy foods and to get plenty of rest. If they do start to feel sick, keep them home from school or daycare so they don’t spread the illness to others.
- Encourage your kids to avoid touching their face, especially their eyes, nose, and mouth. This will help them avoid getting the flu if someone around them is sick.
- Monitoring your own health is also important. If you’re sick, stay away from your kids as much as possible. And if you’re the one who has to care for a sick child, be sure to take care of yourself too so you don’t get sicker.
- Finally, try to reduce their exposure to sick people. If there is a sick family member, have them keep some distance until they recover. And if your child is sick, keep them home from school or daycare so they don’t spread the illness to others.
If your child does get sick, there are things you can do to help them feel better. Make sure they drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. You can also give them over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with fever and pain.
