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| Helpful tips on keeping the family free from flu when traveling |
 12.16.09
With holiday travel right around the corner (next week!!!), the See Jane Fly team wanted to make sure you and your little ones were prepared when it came to preventing the flu in transit and at home, so we had one of our favorite pediatricians and the President and Co-Founder of MD Moms, Dr. Levenstein, jot down a few helpful tips.
As a pediatrician and mom, I know the flu favors many children, regardless of whether they are inside or outside. In addition to a flu vaccine before travel, there are a number of precautions children and parents can take to stay healthy at home and in transit.
Stay away from crowded areas as much as possible
Indoor areas that bring together a large number of people are a hotbed for germs. That’s because the flu virus spreads easily when respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze move through the air to the mouth or nose of others in close proximity. If possible, instead of staying put in one congested place in the terminal, walk around, find a corner where there aren’t too many people and try to stay away from any indoor play areas. |
| Practice good hygiene |
| The flu is easy to catch when a person touches his nose or mouth after touching respiratory droplets on another person or object. Two of the best — and most simple — protective measures you can teach your children are to 1) wash their hands frequently and 2) cough or sneeze into their elbow or shoulder if they don’t have a tissue. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and clean, warm running water for 20 seconds. I also suggest keeping non-alcohol cleansing wipes, such as MD Moms Cleansing Towelettes Travel Pouch, on your child’s person at all times. When soap and water aren’t available, this is a great alternative to alcohol-based hand sanitizers, as their alcohol component can become a safety concern for babies and children who often put their hands in their mouths. |
| Stick with healthy people |
| As parents, it’s our job to prevent any germs that we come across from infecting our children. This means doing our best to refrain from coming into close contact with those who are sick. Remember that if we get sick, chances are we’ll get your children sick, too. |
| Clean surfaces |
| It’s important not only to keep your hands clean, but to also keep cell phones, luggage, travel toys, and other objects clean at all times. Bring along a pack of disinfectant furniture wipes and clean any surfaces you or your child might touch, like luggage carts and bathroom door stalls. |
| Keep sick children at home |
| If your child does get sick, keep her at home and avoid traveling until she’s feeling better—typically until 24 hours after her fever is gone. I know this could put a damper on travel plans, but better safe then sorry. This is especially important, as young children may be contagious for longer periods of time. |
| About Dr. JJ Levenstein |
| Dr. JJ Levenstein is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics with a thriving private pediatric practice in Encino, Calif. She serves on the clinical staff of two hospitals and has been consistently voted one of the Best Doctors in America® from 2003 through 2008. Drawing from her experience as a pediatrician and mom, Dr. Levenstein serves as president and co-founder of MD Moms, makers of Baby Silk, the first personal care line for babies developed by pediatrician moms. |
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