Keeping Your Kids Healthy During Flu Season by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

 

It’s the season.  No, not just the holiday season but the cold and flu season as well. Millions of people will contract or a cold or the flu in the next few months.  So what can we as mothers do to protect our families from the flu? What about flu vaccines? How do we explain to our children why it is so important to stay healthy?    

The influenza virus changes every year. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) evaluate what form of the influenza virus is likely to be most prevalent each year and alter the vaccine to protect the general public from that particular influenza virus.  This year, of course, we have H1N1 to contend with as well. 

Unless your child has allergies to egg, flu vaccines are generally safe for children of all ages.  If you aren’t sure if your child should take the vaccine, contact your pediatrician.  Most children can take the inhaled (live virus) vaccines. It’s painless and quick. There is even an H1N1 vaccine that can be inhaled.

But vaccinations are not the only way to protect your family from the flu.  Something as basic as handwashing can protect you and your children from many viruses, not just the flu.  Hand sanitizer is another great way to kill germs when soap and water are not readily available and you can get one that hangs on your keychain or on your child’s backpack.  

Children need to know that it is important to stay healthy so that they can get the most out of life.  Tell them that a healthy lifestyle is a happy lifestyle. 

Don’t forget the age old adage: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

I hope you enjoy reading these blogs as much as I enjoy writing them!  Should have any questions about Motherhood Incorporated either as a client or a mom looking for work, please email me directly at sandra@motherhoodincorporated.com  or you can check us out at www.motherhoodincorporated.com and www.sandrabeck.com.

The 411 on H1N1 (the Swine Flu)—by Denise Bosey R.N.

By Denise Bosey R.N.

 

H1N1 is the hot topic these days.  Should you or your family get the vaccine? How can you protect yourself and your family from contracting this? What’s the difference between the inhaled vaccine and the injection and which one is best for you and your family?

 

H1N1 (or the Swine Flu) is a very potent strain of the flu. It can be as mild as a low grade fever and a cough or powerful enough to put you in the hospital.  It affects people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

 

It is suggested that all people from the ages of 6 months to 24 years should be vaccinated as well as pregnant women or people over 24 with chronic medical conditions such as asthma.  The inhaled vaccine is a live virus and can be given to children or adults with no chronic medical conditions.  The injection is a dead virus and is suggested for pregnant women and people with medical conditions.

 

Protecting yourself from getting H1N1 is as simple as washing your hands regularly and using hand sanitizer in between.  Teaching your children not to share food, drinks, or personal items with their friends and classmates will go a long way in stopping the transmission of H1N1.  Staying home from work or school when you are not feeling well can also slow the progression of this sometimes deadly virus.

 

So, get plenty of rest, eat well, wash your hands, and most of all get vaccinated and protect you and your family from H1N1.