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Keeping Kids From Getting Sick

posted by Dr. Brent Sep 22, 2008 7:00 am
Keeping Kids From Getting Sick
4 comments

Q: Now that my kids are back in school, what’s the best way to protect them from all the colds and flus they will inevitably be exposed to in the classroom?

A: The best answer to this question really takes us back to the basics. You don’t need to spend money on vitamins and “immune boosters.” Teach your children how and when to wash their hands. It’s going to be impossible to keep them from coming in contact with germs in the school environment, but if you can keep the germs off of their hands (and their hands away from their face), you have a pretty good chance of reducing the number of sick days this school year.

While you are imparting this wisdom to your kids, also remind them about covering their mouth when they sneeze or cough. It is best to do this by turning the head into the crook of the elbow rather than using the hand. This will help stop the spread of germs to others in the classroom. If you really want to contribute to the public health, ask the school if you can arrange for a nurse or doctor to come in and talk to the class about these things. If all the kids are taking precautions, you stand a much better chance of success.

Learn more:
The 10 best cold and flu fighters

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

More on Ask Dr. Brent (122 articles available)
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4 comments

4 comments

add your comment »
4 comments add your comment
Vural K.

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

Sylvia G.

When my kids were in school, I carried the clean hands idea right to the lunch table. Since even though they washed their hands in the washroom before they ate, everything they touched on the way back to the lunch table (often their classroom desk) held more germs--the bathroom/classroom door knobs, etc. So I learned to tuck a hand wipe right in their lunch kits which I could buy in bulk at the local drug store. The kind they might give you in a restaurant when you order ribs worked great. Much safer than the liquid antibacterial too, which contains so much alcohol.
:0) Sylvia

hari peg

thank you!

Janna Spektor

This article is very important for all parents. Thank you!

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