Keeping Germs at Bay
By Jennifer Cropp, MD FAAP
The holiday season should bring joy, not germs. As the days get shorter and the gatherings get bigger, keeping our kids healthy takes a little extra planning. It feels like this time of year it is easy for our kids to pick up all the coughs and sniffles going around. While it is impossible to avoid every illness, there are some simple but effective ways to reduce the risk of infection and keep your kids as healthy as possible this holiday season.
Wash Those Hands
Good hand hygiene is one of the most important and powerful tools we have against illness. Ideally, our children should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds- about the length of the song “Happy Birthday.” While hand sanitizer is better than nothing, it won’t kill all germs, especially those that cause viral gastrointestinal illness which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Remind your children to wash their hands before they eat, after they use the restroom, when they come home from school, and after their activities.
When To Keep Them Home
While we don’t want our children to miss school or get behind, remember it is imperative to keep your child home if they are not feeling well, have a fever, or experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea. Fever is considered to be 100.4 degrees F or higher and children should be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of any fever reducing medication before returning to school. If they have had to miss school for illness, they should generally be improving and feeling better before heading back to class. This not only protects them and allows them the rest they need to improve, but it also protects their fellow classmates and school staff as well.
Contain The Germs
Even at a young age, your child can learn to contain the spread of germs by covering their coughs and sneezes. I like to teach kids to do these things into their elbows which will help keep the droplets contained and therefore be less likely to infect those around them. Practice blowing their nose into a tissue at home. To teach your child how to do this effectively, show them how to blow a lightweight object like a feather or a pom-pom or a ping pong ball with their nose when their mouth is closed. Bonus points if you can turn this into a fun game!
Lastly, never underestimate the power of adequate nighttime sleep, which is essential for a strong immune system. While holiday excitement often means busy schedules and more chaos than usual, try to prioritize and maintain a consistent routine for your children, including at nighttime. Make sure your kids are staying hydrated and continue to offer them balanced meals and snacks. Get fresh air when you can, which should be easier to do with the temperatures cooling off. And please remember to get your annual flu vaccine! They are approved for children six months of age and older, and it is one of our best defenses against influenza, which can potentially cause very serious complications. Aim to have your child vaccinated prior to Halloween, which allows your body time to build immunity before the season really kicks in.
By focusing on these simple but impactful ideas, families can enjoy the festivities of the holidays without the ick that can sometimes come with it. After all, this time of year should be about making memories and enjoying traditions together!
Dr. Jennifer Cropp is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is the owner of Cactus Bloom Pediatrics, which is a direct primary care pediatric practice in Phoenix, AZ.