By Megan P

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Just kidding, it’s Cold and Flu season.

With our children returning to school has come the return of the yuck. You may be wondering how to prevent colds and flu this season. Here are some helpful tips, adapted from the CDC, to help keep you and your little ones safe this cold and flu season:

·      The single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year. The seasonal flu vaccines protect against the four flu viruses that will be most common during the upcoming season. Children as young as 6 months are able to get the flu vaccine. You can visit your pediatrician for the vaccine or depending on age, some kids may be eligible to receive it at the pharmacy. Here are some age minimums for popular pharmacies: CVS pharmacy- 18 months, Rite-Aid, Safeway, Costco Walgreen’s pharmacies- 3 years.

 

·      Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others.

 

·      Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and other public places when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your germs to others.

 

·      Cover your mouth and nose.
Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Many viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with cold or flu cough, sneeze or talk.

 

·      Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs that you may encounter. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

 

·      Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Germs can spread when you touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

 

·      Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work and school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.