We usually catch diseases because we made contact with someone who is ill. And the same applies to our little ones. According to the CDC, 14% of babies get the flu as a result of contact with someone who has it. As parents, we always fear that our kids will catch diseases or spread them. Therefore, it is very important to make sure they do not spread any infections while sick. Learn more here on how to keep your children from passing an infection when they are feeling unwell.
How to Protect Children from Passing an Infection?
1| Always wear a mask.
Wearing a face mask is one of the best ways to avoid germs and viruses spreading. When we are wearing a mask, it keeps the virus from getting to other people, thus protecting them. As parents, we must teach our children how to correctly wear a mask. Which includes covering both mouth and nose fully. It is also important to dispose of the face mask after using it properly and immediately. That is why we recommend disposable masks rather than fabric ones for sick children. Also, make sure your sick child does not take it off around public areas.
However, according to the World Health Organization, toddlers under the age of 5 should not wear masks. That is because they are unlikely to keep it on properly, and it might bother them as well. The best way to protect newborns and toddlers is for adults to keep their masks on around them. Especially if they are sick.
2| Encourage them to always wash their hands.
Hands are always the main source of spreading germs and viruses. That is why they must always be cleaned and sanitized. So, encourage your children to always wash their hands. This is not just during sickness, but it is an important personal hygiene habit that we all must adapt. We recommend antibacterial hand soap to kill all germs and keep our little ones’ hands virus free.
3| Teach kids how to sneeze or cough.
This is another important habit for good personal hygiene for both kids and adults. Demonstrate to your kids how to sneeze or cough properly. Which is by covering both mouth and nose with tissues. And sanitizing hands immediately after. Explain how they should not touch anything after because their hands will be filled with germs that need cleaning.
In case your children had no tissues on them, show them how to cover both nose and mouth with their arms and elbows. And make sure they sanitize this area immediately after.
4| Sanitize germ hotspots at home.
Germ hotspots are all around us at home. Those hidden germ hotspots might be neglected or forgotten about. Here are some of most famous germ hotspots at home:
- Remote controls.
- Phones and video games controllers.
- Door handles.
- Toys.
- Surfaces like desks, coffee tables, dining tables, and countertops.
- Sinks in both bathrooms and kitchens.
- Faucet handles.
While there are plenty of hotspots for germs to collect, cleaning them is actually a piece of cake. If you want something quick and easy. Use disinfectant antibacterial wipes. This is actually a chore that you can assign your kids with. As for deep cleaning, we recommend a sponge and Dettol’s disinfectant spray. Also, use hot water to wash those hotspots which is very sanitizing and will kill all germs and viruses.
5| Teach your kids about outdoor germ hotspots.
Furthermore, hotspots are everywhere outside our homes. There are plenty of germ hotspots in schools, such as:
- – School buses and seats.
- – Classrooms and desks.
- – Playgrounds.
- – School bathrooms.
- – Shared gym equipment.
- – Cafeteria tables.
- – Whiteboard erasers.
Now let us be realistic, your child cannot keep all those places sanitized. So, we suggest two things. First, is to urge the school administrators to keep them sanitized at all times. You can even ask them to provide disinfectant sprays for students to use. Second, reinforce your children to always sanitize their hands and personal school belongings. Ask them to clean their desks before and after using them. This way your mind will stay at ease and your children will be safe from catching any germs or viruses. If your child is sick and still going to school, make sure to instruct them on how to sneeze. To sanitize their hands and keep a distance from their peers.
6| Make sure your children have hygiene kits.
Having a personal hygiene kit for your child is the best way to keep them from spreading germs. Pick a bag with their favorite cartoon character or animal and fill it with the essentials. Which include hand sanitizer, Dettol’s antibacterial wipes, tissues, mini hand soap, and a small towel. And always remind your kids to have this kit with them at school.
7| Build up their immune systems.
This step is to prevent getting sick, or to help them recover quickly. Our little kids are still building up their immune systems. Therefore, it is our job to provide them with the best nutrition possible. This is in order to keep their bodies healthy and strong against viruses.
Make sure their diet includes vegetables and fruits which contain a lot of vitamins. They need those vitamins to stay healthy and not get sick easily. If you have a sick child at home, make sure to serve a lot of soups and freshly squeezed juices. Pay a visit to a doctor to know what the best thing is to serve them to help them get better quickly. For example, fevers need calorie rich foods. And sore throats require a lot of soft foods.
8| Avoid sharing personal items.
Children are not always aware of the dangers of sharing personal items with their friends. Like water bottles, food, and school supplies. To prevent your child from either getting an infection or passing it – urge them not to share those things.
9| Sanitize their personal items at home.
In addition, urge your kids not to share at home if one of their siblings is sick. Make sure they do not drink or eat using the same utensils or cups. And wash their clothes and bedsheets regularly so their siblings wouldn’t catch viruses. This is important for you as well – after all, our kids need us to be strong and healthy to look after them.
