Every winter brings back a season of indoor activities and people huddling closer together to stay warm. However, this means more contact and a higher chance of viruses and bacteria spreading. So as your kid spends more playtime inside with their friends, how can you ensure they stay safe from winter viruses and avoid the flu? Here are tips and precautions to keep your kids healthy, boost their immune systems and minimize the risk of catching the flu.
Ensure They Are Vaccinated
Vaccines are a great way to boost your child’s immune system. Staying up to date with their flu vaccinations helps them develop immunity against common flu infections that could get serious. Additionally, with COVID still lurking around, you can also check with your doctor to see if there are any COVID vaccines available for kids in your nearest health center. One of the best ways of keeping track of COVID infections in your home is using self-test kits such as the FlowFlex Covid-19 self-test kit.
Winter Viruses – Hand Hygiene Is Your Best Defense
Kids get into contact with a lot of surfaces. They are also more likely to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without washing their hands first. This increases the risk of introducing the flu virus into their bodies.
Therefore, teaching them to wash their hands whenever they cough or sneeze can significantly reduce the risk of transmission. When washing their hands, they should use soap and lather their hands properly by rubbing them together and scrubbing for at least twenty seconds. Lastly, they should rinse under clean running water and wipe their hands using a clean towel.
Prepare Healthier Foods
Growing kids need a balanced diet not just for their energy but also for them to stay healthy and have a strong immune system. The meals you prepare for your kids should be nutrient-rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and calcium, respectively. Proteins and whole grains will give your children the energy they need to play and stay active. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. You can also add goat milk formula and yogurt as they are rich in probiotics that improve digestive tracts.
Ensure They Sleep the Right Number of Hours
Research has shown that sleep deprivation affects the immunity system and the body’s ability to fight infections in children and adults alike. Kids under the age of six should sleep for at least 10-13 hours a day. Those between the ages of 6-12 need at least 10 hours of sleep each day. On the other hand, teenagers should sleep 8-10 hours a day.
Ask Them to Reduce Sharing
When germs are everywhere during winter, it’s easy for kids to transmit them to each other by sharing plates, cups, food, and water bottles. That’s why it would be best to ask them to use their own items and discourage them from sharing. You can also get them a reusable water bottle so they don’t have to use the school’s water fountain, which is a hot spot for germs.
Sharing is a great trait to see in your kids, and discouraging them might sometimes feel wrong. However, if you explain to them why they need to put a pause on sharing, then they will understand to protect themselves from catching winter viruses.
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