Tips To Avoid The Flu:
* Remind your children to thoroughly wash their hands several times throughout the day. This is really important at meal time! Don't forget to do so when eating out, too! Also, try to keep your child's fingers out of his or her mouth... A great time to kick that nail biting habit!
** Good hand washing skills are something every child (and adult) should practice. Wash Your hands with the warmest water you can comfortably stand. Use soap and vigorously scrub your hands together for 30 seconds to one minute. Rinse hands thoroughly under the warmest water you can stand. Thoroughly dry your hands with a disposable towel if possible. Remember to try use a paper towel to turn off the water if you are in a public bathroom. Don't forget to wash your baby's hands, too!
* If your infant attends daycare, pack separate teething toys for both morning and afternoon. Wash all toys with hot soapy water each night, and don't forget to label them with your child's name to avoid a mix-up while you are not there to identify "your" things.
* If your infant is under six months of age, avoid prolonged public outings. This is not the time to take your precious newborn to his/her first Twins game. Limit contact with large groups of people, including extended family or anyone who is considered to be high risk for exposure.
High Risk Individuals:
1. Anyone who has recently traveled to Mexico
2. School aged children
3. Airline employees
4. Taxi Drivers
5. Patrons of public transportation
* Pack an extra water bottle for soccer practice. Somebody on the team is bound to forget his or her water bottle. This way your child can continue to practice great sharing skills without sharing the germs with the entire team.
* If your infant is being cared for at a daycare that has both school aged children as well as infants in their care, you may want to seek other childcare options, if the outbreak becomes widespread.
* DO NOT PANIC!! Be aware of the symptoms and seek medical treatment immediately. With proper care, the severity of the virus can be managed with efficiency.
* If your child has asthma or allergies, it is especially important to monitor their condition. Having a compromised lung function makes the virus far more dangerous than those who are not afflicted by such conditions. We need to be proactive on their health care. Keep your eyes open to subtle changes. Early treatment and consistent monitoring of any flu viruses can increase the success and expediency of recovery.
* Pack a bottle of hand sanitizer for your child to take to school, daycare, sports practices, piano lessons, etc... Taking preventative action is the best line of defense.
* Make sure that everyone gets enough rest. Sleeping schedules should be strictly followed to allow small bodies the chance to recover from their activity filled days. It also helps out mom and dad... giving them the chance to relax and unwind sans small fry.
* Plan outdoor activities if possible. Germs are less likely to be transmitted in the great outdoors. A crowded movie theater is a breeding ground for germs. The local park is a good old fashioned way to burn off some energy, soak up a little sunshine, and avoid the confinement of the indoors. After all, this is Minnesota, and we should not take our warm weather for granted. Just don't forget to put on some 30 spf sunscreen!
Remember that overall it is important to continue to live your lives as "normal". While there is reason to be concerned, upsetting your entire schedule will inevitably cause more undue stress and harm to you and your child. We at Edina Pediatrics believe that while this is definitely something to watch out for, and to take precautionary measures to avoid becoming ill, there is no need to panic. Instead, please be cognizant of your role in prevention. And, in the instance that you do become ill... We are here for you!
