I have had diabetes my entire life, and I am very thankful for the fact that modern medical discoveries have helped me live a happy, healthy life despite my disease. I have had to watch what I eat and take medications daily for most of my life, and while i used to feel like I was "missing out" when other children were able to eat sugary candy and I wasn't, I eventually learned that sugar-free candy tastes great. I am always keeping up on the latest diabetes research, and while researching, I have also learned about many other diseases and ailments and how they are treated and controlled. I know others are too busy to browse a bunch of medical websites, like I like to do, so I decided to start a blog that others can visit that contains information on a variety of medical topics all in one place!
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8 Tips For Protecting Your Child From the Flu
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Children are one of the groups most vulnerable to the flu. As the flu season approaches, it is important that you take steps to protect your child's health. Here are eight ways you can prepare your child for the flu season.
- Encourage hand washing. Viruses that cause flu can easily be picked up by your child through touch. Encourage your child to frequently wash his or hands. Consider setting a timer to help your child know when to wash his or her hands.
- Teach the vampire cough and sneeze. Show your child how to cough or sneeze into his or her arm. Germs that are expelled during coughing and sneezing are less likely to end up on other surfaces if your child coughs into his or her arm rather than hands.
- Tell your child to use tissues. Talk to your child about using tissues for sneezing and blowing his or her nose. Younger children might have more difficulty with remembering to do this, so try not to become too frustrated if yours does not remember.
- Lead by example. Your child takes his or her cues from you. It is important that you model all the good health practices you are teaching your child. You can also have your child go through steps such as hand washing with you to show how it is properly done.
- Vaccinate your child. The flu vaccination can help boost your child's immune system against the influenza virus. If your child does get sick, he or she will experience milder symptoms and be sicker a shorter period of time.
- Wipe down surfaces. It is important that you are wiping down the surfaces in your child's room and home constantly. The influenza virus can exist for several hours on surfaces such as your child's toys and TV remotes. Hot soapy water is good for removing the virus.
- Increase vitamin C intake. Vitamin C can help boost your child's immune system, which can help protect him or her from the flu virus. Talk to your child's pediatrician about how much vitamin C is appropriate on a daily basis.
- Ensure your child gets sleep. While sleeping, your child's body takes time to restore itself and prepare to fight off viruses. According to the National Sleep Foundation, a child between the ages of one to three needs up to 14 hours of sleep each day.
It is important that you take other measures to protect your child's health during the flu season. Talk to a pediatrician like Bloom Paul about the best precautions you can take to keep your child flu-free.
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