Keep Your Family Safe from the Cold and Flu
The common cold and flu can certainly obstruct our day-to-day activities. Despite our best efforts, the symptoms are difficult to get rid of and, to make the matters worse, the disease can spread rapidly. Unfortunately, there are only a few effective cures for the common cold but the best measures you can take is to prevent it from happening.
5 Effective Ways to Deal with the Flu:
Identify the Symptoms
The most common flu symptoms include exhaustion, aches, a sore throat, and a runny or congested nose. If you feel you might have caught the symptoms, be sure to take a day off and rest thoroughly. Encourage your kids and other family members to isolate themselves to prevent the virus from spreading and contaminating other friends and family.
Avoid Contact
If your child is sniffling and coughing, keep him or her at home and prevent your child from mingling with friends and family members. Prevent sick children from going to school or daycare to avoid the germs from spreading. If your child’s friend is the one with the chills and sneezes, avoid contact and exposure for the same reason. While nursing and tending to your sick family members, be sure to take appropriate precautions, such as wearing a face mask and washing your hands frequently, to avoid from catching the virus.
Wash Hands and Disinfect
The easiest and the fastest way for flu viruses to travel and spread is direct contact. Whether it is the kids who have the flu or if you are trying to keep them away from it, make sure the children wash their hands often with liquid soap and water during the flu season. Children should develop the habit of washing their hands, particularly after sneezing, before and after eating, and after visiting the loo. Each hand wash should last for at least 20 seconds to be effective. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is equally effective.
Even only one member of the family is diagnosed with the cold, many household surfaces, such as door knobs, handles, telephone receivers, television remotes, mobiles, computer keyboards, etc., may have already been infected. Disinfect every few hours with bleach and water or use homemade solutions such as vinegar, and borax. Do not share plates, cups or glasses.
Dispose Tissues and Elbow Crook
If you have already caught the cold and want to prevent others in your family from catching it, make it a habit to sneeze and cough into either disposable tissues or in the crook of your elbows. After you sneezed into a disposable tissue or the crook of your elbow, always wash your hands or elbow with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer to kill off the germs.
Boost Your Immune System
Breast milk can help your young child build a strong immune system. For older kids and adults, a healthy, balanced, and vegetable based diet, adequate rest, and physical exercise will help achieve the same results. Also, make conscious efforts to relief your stress as it can lower your immunity considerably. Make regular exercising and a healthy diet your lifestyle to prevent virus attacks. Whether you like to sweat it out in the gym, enjoy a good run in the park, or prefer dancing, make it a habit to indulge in regular physical exercise.
Don’t be alarmed if your kid still falls sick despite adopting all preventive measures. Just make sure to nurse them with care until the cold goes way, and they will soon be healthy and energetic again!
