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Once the weather starts to cool off and the days become shorter, the flu season is just around the corner. Most minor illnesses that children come down with aren’t life-threatening, but they can bring your life to a grinding halt. Here are three tips that you can use to protect your younger children and the rest of your family during the flu season.
In This Post:
Don’t Ignore The Symptoms
Catching and treating the flu early on can minimize the side effects and speed up your child’s recovery. Some of the most common early warning signs include lethargy, headaches, chills, sniffling, and a mild fever. As soon as you notice any of those symptoms, you should make sure that your child is getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated. If they are having a tough time breathing or their fever rises above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, then you need to rush them to an urgent care center, like Premier Urgent Care Centers of California, Inc.
Make Sure Your Child Is Active And Eating Healthy
Keeping your child cooped up indoors could actually increase their risk of coming down with the flu. Getting some exercise a few times a week is one of the best ways to boost the immune system and stave off illnesses. You also need to make sure that they are eating as healthy as possible. A well-balanced diet is another great way to strengthen their immune system while they are being bombarded with germs. Most of their meals and snacks should consist of fresh produce, lean protein sources, and whole grains.
Sanitize Germ Hotspots
Certain germs will linger inside a home for weeks, and that is why you need to sanitize hotspots every single day. High-traffic areas like the entryway and kitchen should be cleaned with antibacterial wipes or sprays whenever you get a chance. Another area where germs tend to linger is inside bed linens. During the flu season, you might want to clean all of the blankets, sheets, and pillowcases in your home once every week or two. That might seem like a lot of work, but a little preventative cleaning is much easier than taking care of a sick family.Practically everyone is going to get sick at least a few times a year, but that doesn’t mean you need to accept those illnesses without a fight. In addition to these three tips, parents should also speak with a doctor to see if their children need flu shots. According to the CDC, children under the age of six and their family members should receive annual flu shots every fall.