We are all concerned when it comes to the health and safety of our kids. With the looming H1N1 and the regular seasonal flu (influenza), there is something you can do for your family. Stop the spread of germs! There are some easy ways to protect your family from H1N1 swine flu and seasonal flu.
Understand How Germs Spread
Colds and flu (swine and seasonal influenza) are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu and colds usually spread from person to person when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Stop the Spread of Germs
These are easy steps for you to take and teach your kids:
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
- Clean your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth (easier said than done with toddlers!)
- Stay home when you are sick and check with a health care provider when needed
Practice other good health habits.
Protect your family from H1N1 swine flu and seasonal flu by creating this healthy habits.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away.
- Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Clean your Hands Often
Washing your hands with warm water and soap vigorously for 15-20 seconds is best to protect your family from H1N1 swine flu and seasonal flu. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs. Teach your kids to wash their hands as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday or the ABC song in their head.
When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. Be sure to rub hands until the gel is dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for a long time (some can live for 2 hours or more) on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables.
Stay home when you are sick and check with a health care provider when needed
When you or your kids are sick or have flu symptoms, stay home, get plenty of rest, and check with a health care provider as needed. Keeping your distance from others may protect them from getting sick. Keeping at least 6 feet from infected people is best.
Common symptoms of the flu include:
- fever (usually high)
- headache
- extreme tiredness
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches, and
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, (much more common among children than adults).
Hi Sadue, I hope you are feeling better and not so worried about the Swine Flu. The best thing is to be educated on how to prevent yourself from these viruses. Everything that I have read tells you the #1 prevention is good handwashing. Be sure to wash your hands and avoid touching your face. You can also talk to your parents about the vaccination. Good luck and try not to worry.
I was talking to my mom and im only 13 about swine flu and im so scared.When I was writing this I had a huge headace and a tummy ach.So i dont know what that is about.