Stay Healthy while Caring for a Sick Child
How to Safeguard Your Health when Kids are Ill
Apr 4, 2009
Children are always getting sick, especially when they spend time in daycares and schools. But just because your child is under the weather does not mean you have to suffer the same fate. There are plenty of ways to safeguard your health when kids are ill.
Keep Your Immune System Strong
A strong immune system is the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses and other organisms that attack the body. Safeguard your health by eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc, bioflavonoid and vitamin E. Also, get plenty of rest, exercise, avoid smoking and minimize stress.
Minimize the Spread of Germs
One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and stay healthy while caring for a sick child is by washing your hands frequently throughout the day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest following these guidelines for effective hand washing:
- Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
- Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds.
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer.
If soap and water aren’t available, the CDC suggests using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill germs. However, hand sanitizers should not be used to replace the practice of hand washing. Germs are often spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then transferring the organisms to your mouth, nose or eyes. So avoid putting your hands in your face.
Try to keep a sick child out of the kitchen because germs can be spread to eating surfaces when kids cough, sneeze, and rub their hands on them. This can make the rest of the family vulnerable to getting sick.
Frequently disinfect surfaces that your sick child comes into contact with such as door knobs, sinks, countertops, tables and toilet handles. Toys should also be disinfected after your sick child plays with them. Toys can be sanitized in the sink with a mixture of bleach and water (one tablespoon of bleach per quart of water). Instead of soaking battery operated toys in the sink, use a spray bottle to lightly mist them with bleach-water solution and then dry them off with clean paper towels.
Staying healthy when your kids are sick can be tough, but by keeping your immune system strong and being diligent about germ control, dodging your children's illnesses can be easier to do.
 |
