Keeping kids healthy

[5ft Diva]

School's in session again and the colds and flus are already running wild. What do you do to keep your kids healthy and strong to fight against the viruses, germs, and bacterias that are prevalent in our communities?

[bookworm]

One- I make sure they are taking their vitamins every day.
Two- we usually have a chat about how germs are all over their schools, especially in the bathrooms and on door handles and such. I don't want to freak them out, just make sure they're aware that any kid in that school could be sick and could have touched that same surface, so wash hands before eating, please!!
Three- I don't stress too much about it. There is only so much I can do to prevent it, and most kids get sick from time to time- in a sense it's good because it strengthens their immune systems (we've all heard the Shirley Temple story, right?)
Oh and Four- one of my kids is assigned to clean doorknobs, light switches and banisters with a clorox wipe as part of their Saturday chores. I need to include the computer mouse and tv remotes, probably... but that seems to really help. Other kids also scour sinks and faucets and toilets. I know that at least once a week, my house is being disinfected!

[natickgirl]

I try to make sure they are eating well (enough nutrients) and getting enough sleep & exercise. I also emphasize hand-washing a LOT. It's inevitable that someone will get sick at some point, so I don't overdo it. I've seen too many paranoid parents & kids. I'd rather my kids get sick from time to time than be afraid to touch anything or get dirty in any way!

[dannydesiliva]

Here are a few tips:

The symptoms of a cold and the symptoms of the flu are very similar--stuff nose, sore throat, cough, congestion, headache and sneezing, fever, tiredness and aching. Flue symptoms are much worse though. The only way to be sure is to take them to the doctor. The faster a doctor can diagnose the flu the quicker it can be treated. They have something called Tamiflu that doesn't get rid of the flu but it can lessen the severity.

The best and simplest way to prevent colds and flu is by washing your hands. When you are out and about keep a bottle of instant hand sanitizer in your car and/or purse and use it often. Disinfect toys if at all possible. Wash those than can be washed.

Get the flu vaccine. Children between the ages of six months and 5 years are most susceptible to catching the flu. The flu vaccine can be administered through a shot but there is a new form available called Flu Mist. This is simply sprayed into the nose. Consult with your pediatrician on the best option for your child.

When my daughter gets a sore throat, I always take her to the doctor to have a strep test because it's better safe than sorry. Strep is an infection that must be treated with antibiotics. If untreated strep can invade other body organs such as the kidneys or even damage a heart valve. It can also cause Rheumatic fever and lead to painful joints and skin rash. Children between the ages of five and fifteen are generally affected but anyone at any age can get strep.

Symptoms of strep include, painful sore throat, white spots on the hard or soft palate, fever, swollen lymph glands, headache, rash, difficulty swallowing.

Making your child feel better. Popsicles or jello when they have a sore throat. Cold drinks to soothe their throat. For cold symptoms Vitamin C can lessen the length of a cold. Chicken soup, rice, pasta are all comfort foods and can give your child added energy. Make sure you monitor your child's temperature. Give Tylenol to relieve their fever.

NEVER, EVER give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu symptoms without consulting a doctor.

Don't send your child to school sick. Wait until they exhibit no fever for at least 24 hours. Even if they don't have fever they may be tired because they haven't been sleeping well and just need to stay home and rest. Kids need plenty of TLC from their parents when they are sick as well as medical treatment.


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[5ft Diva]

This is great information - almost as good as reading it out of a textbook! Thanks! Are you an expert on the matter or have you just done extensive research on the matter....I ask because you sound like someone in the health profession who rehearses this kind of information all of the time. Someone we would all love to have as a friend!

I totally agree w/ not sending your child to school sick. So it's not necessarily the symptoms that should keep them home, it's the fever? This is when online assignments would be really helpful to parents....make that decision a lot easier!

Again, Dannydesilvia, thanks for the information! Keep it coming!

P.S. I do have questions about this swine flu going around but I'll start it on another thread. Stay tuned!

[natickgirl]

Great information!

I just kept my 10 yr. old home from school yesterday. She has no fever, but was tired & pale and had a mild sore throat. She was still a little tired today, but no sore throat or fever, so I sent her. I think she just has the beginnings of a cold...we'll see how she is feeling tomorrow after getting a good night's sleep.

I am being a paranoid, crazy germ freak right now....50 kids were sick a my daughter's charter school yesterday & today, all with "flu-like symptoms." Yikes! When I kept her home yesterday, they asked whether she had the flu. (No, thank goodness!)