Keeping Kids Healthy

December 15th, 2009 Five ways to protect your family during cold and flu season by: Dr. JJ Levenstein by: Dr. JJ Levenstein

Preventing Colds and Flu

Bundle kids up and go outside instead of hanging out in germ-ridden indoor playgrounds, malls and other densely populated areas. Teach kids to wash their hands frequently with soap and warm running water for 20 seconds. Use disinfectant furniture wipes around surfaces such as doorknobs and shopping carts. Keep a sick child at home and avoid traveling until she’s feeling better–typically 24 hours after her fever is gone.

s a pediatrician and mom, I know the flu often favors little ones who aren’t overly concerned about catching a bug when they’re jumping into a ball pit at an indoor playground. Fortunately, in addition to getting them the flu vaccine, there are a number of things parents can do to keep kids healthy and bug-free during cold and flu season.

1. Steer clear of indoor areas

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 frequenting areas such as indoor playgrounds or malls, usher your kids outdoors to enjoy the fresh air if temperatures aren’t too cold.

2. Cover mouths and wash hands

The flu is easy to catch when you touch your nose or mouth after touching respiratory droplets on another person or object. Two of the best–and simplest–protective measures you can teach your child are to wash her hands frequently and to cough or sneeze into her elbow or shoulder if she doesn’t have a tissue handy. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and 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.

3. Surround yourself 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. So if you’re visiting friends or relatives and discover they’ve been unwell, your best bet is to postpone your visit until everyone is feeling better.

4. Disinfect surfaces

It’s important to not only keep your hands clean, but also to keep objects such as telephones, keyboards, toys and furniture clean–both inside and outside the home. Use disinfectant furniture wipes around surfaces such as doorknobs and shopping carts. A combination detergent/disinfectant to clean and kill germs can be used on surfaces that aren’t visibly dirty. When a surface is visibly dirty, use soap or detergent, rinse with water, and then use disinfectant.

5. Keep sick little ones at home

If your child does get sick, keep her at home and avoid traveling until she’s feeling better–typically 24 hours after her fever is gone. This is especially important as young children may be contagious for longer periods of time. Also, allow her to rest in a room away from the main areas of the house so that you don’t put your family at risk for catching her bug. In addition to rest, antiviral drugs can be used to treat seasonal, or H1N1, flu. Meet our expert: Dr. JJ Levenstein is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics with a 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.mdmoms.com