The average child in the U.S. gets 6 to 10 colds per year. Many colds and flu are thought to spread mainly person-to-person, through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not into your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Wipe
handles and table tops with disinfecting cleaner. Be sure to wipe all commonly used areas such as doorknobs, faucet/toilet handles, fridge doors, microwaves, etc., at home and at the office.
- Stay home
if you get sick. Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Don't share
food, drink, utensils, toys, etc.
- Maintain a balanced diet. Also, it is important to exercise
regularly and get plenty of sleep.
- Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
Note that flu viruses can be spread when an adult or a child touches dropets left by coughs and sneezes on hard surfaces (such as doorknobs, toys, markers, and playground equipment) and then touches his or her mouth or nose. Clean surfaces and items that are more likely to have frequent hand or mouth contact; however, it is not necessary to disinfect these surfaces beyond routine cleaning.
Check that you and your children are up to date on vaccines. Parents and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age should get vaccinated for seasonal flu because these children are at higher risk for flu complications and are too young to be vaccinated. Also, some parents and children may need additional vaccines, such as the pneumonia vaccine.
**NEW** Pharmacists are now able to administer vaccines to children 7 and over without a prescription. Contact us to find out if your insurance covers this.