{"id":3145,"date":"2020-03-11T17:25:34","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T17:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hancockhealth.org\/?p=3145"},"modified":"2020-03-11T17:25:34","modified_gmt":"2020-03-11T17:25:34","slug":"how-to-help-your-kids-conquer-cold-and-flu-season-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hancockhealth.apgar.digital\/es\/2020\/03\/how-to-help-your-kids-conquer-cold-and-flu-season-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Help Your Kids Conquer Cold and Flu Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How to Help Your Kids Conquer Cold and Flu Season<\/h1>\n\n
\n\n 11 de marzo de 2020<\/span>\n\n
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It\u2019s December, which means cold and flu season is officially upon us. Perhaps you\u2019ve even already begun to hear the telltale coughs, nose-blowing, and hoarse voices. But there\u2019s hope. Although it may feel like it, you\u2019re not actually powerless against what\u2019s going around. It turns out there are a lot of ways you help prevent your kids (and yourself) from getting sick. Below, we\u2019ve rounded up 6 of the best ways to keep your kids healthy this cold and flu season.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Get Your Family Vaccinated<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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This is the first and most obvious way to protect against the\u00a0flu.<\/a>\u00a0The flu vaccine works by injecting a small amount of inactivated flu virus into the body so that it can make antibodies to fight it off. Then, if you\u2019re exposed to the flu later on in the season, the antibodies will be able to fight them off. And because it takes 10 days to two weeks to become\u00a0fully effective<\/a>, the sooner you can get everyone vaccinated, the better.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Load Up on Garlic<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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While this may not sound like the most appealing option,\u00a0estudios\u00a0<\/a>have shown that garlic, specifically garlic supplements, can lead to fewer and less severe colds. Anita Mirchandani, a registered dietitian, told\u00a0Quema diaria<\/a>\u00a0that garlic, \u201chelps promote healthy gut flora, which rids the body of toxins, bacteria, and viruses.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Encourage Hand Washing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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We\u2019ve all heard it before, but this tip can\u2019t be emphasized enough. And while it sounds self-explanatory, there are actually\u00a0tips to make hand washing more effective<\/a>. First, make sure your kids are washing with warm water and plenty of soap that works up a good lather. It\u2019s important to wash for at least 10-15 seconds, so have them sing the alphabet or \u201chappy birthday\u201d as a gauge. And remind them to turn off the faucet and open the door with a paper towel if they\u2019re in a public place to avoid picking up new germs.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Keep Toy and Play Areas Clean<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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Cold germs<\/a>\u00a0can linger on toys for hours, and in some cases, even days, so to prevent spreading them it\u2019s important to clean toys and play areas regularly during cold and flu season. Simply washing most plastic toys with soap and hot water is an effective way to get rid of germs. For stuffed animals and other plush toys, throw them in the washing machine on the hot setting to make sure any germs are taken care of.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Ensure They\u2019re Getting Enough Sleep<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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While getting adequate sleep is always important, it\u2019s especially crucial during the months where viruses are running rampant. A\u00a0estudiar<\/a>\u00a0from Carnegie Mellon University found that people who sleep less or have a poor quality of sleep, are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a cold virus than those who get adequate sleep. Be vigilant about ensuring that your kids have a consistent\u00a0bedtime schedule<\/a>\u00a0that permits 10 to 13 hours of sleep for 3-5-year-olds and 9 to 12 hours for school-aged children. If you\u2019re having trouble getting them to sleep, try creating a \u201cwind-down\u201d routine that involves reading, a warm bath, or another soothing activity and limit screen time in the evening which can be too stimulating.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Promote Active Play<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>
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According to WebMD,\u00a0some studies\u00a0<\/a>have shown that \u201cmoderate intensity\u201d exercise can cut down on the number of colds people get. This type of exercise includes walking, biking, or going to the gym. For kids, that can translate to active play that gets their hearts pumping a bit. In the colder months, it\u2019s important to encourage active play because kids are often inside more, and thus more likely to be engaging in sedentary activities.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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