Keep the germs and viruses away!

 

So, it’s the time of the season again, when almost every kid in town is sick. So what should we do to avoid our kids getting sick? These are the main things that most experts agree:

Keep hands clean

Regular hand-washing dramatically reduces the passing of respiratory and gastrointestinal illness, so get your kids in the habit of scrubbing up (or using a hand sanitizer) after every play and before they eat. If they don’t like it, try to make it easier by, for example, singing a happy song. Scrubbing for 15-20 seconds is key.

Get your vaccines

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s the single best way to prevent the flu. Moreover, we should always remember that most of kids diseases tend to go extinct because of massive vaccination.

Be active every day

Studies indicate that regular, moderate exercise can reduce the number of cold and flu episodes that occur over the course of a year by 25-50 percent, possibly by boosting the circulation of infection-fighting cells.

Get plenty of sleep

Make sure kids stick to an early bedtime. Sleep deprivation nearly doubles the risk of getting a cold or flu. Most babies need approximately 14 hours of sleep a day, while preschoolers need 11-13 hours of sleep.

Avoid touching your face

Cold and flu viruses enter the body through the nose, eyes, and mouth, so help your child keep the hands away from those areas. Yes, it can be very difficult to accomplish — hand-washing at strategic moments is all the more important. Teach your child never to share a spoon/fork, straw, cup, or toothbrush.

Consume a balanced and healthy diet

Meals with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables will help boost your child’s immunity system. Look for foods rich in vitamin C (broccoli, apples, tangerines, and oranges) and vitamin D (tuna, fortified milk, and cereals). Eating yogurt with active cultures (probiotics) can also help build defenses.