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Is Your Family Ready To Tackle Common Colds And Flus?

Written by
NMS Flu Team
Published on
March 1, 2019 at 12:01:00 PM PST March 1, 2019 at 12:01:00 PM PSTst, March 1, 2019 at 12:01:00 PM PST

Getting sick is, unfortunately, a common part of life that many people have to deal with, especially families. Kids get sick shockingly often; approximately 22 million school days are lost annually in the United States because of the common cold. When kids get sick, so do the parents who have to take care of them, causing even more problems. However, there are a few easy ways to keep your family safe from common illnesses; while they aren't foolproof, they'll certainly set you up for better health and a lower chance of catching a cold or flu going around.

  • Eat healthy: Eating healthy isn't just good for your overall long-term health. Getting the right nutrients on a regular basis can help improve your immune system and decrease your chances of you catching a cold or flu going around. This applies for your children as well; while it may be harder to get picky eaters to eat healthily, it's important for them to have a balanced diet as well.

  • Stay hydrated: While hydration might seem like a smaller detail when it comes to preventing disease, it's incredibly important. Drinking enough water can keep your immune system functioning properly. Additionally, if you already are sick, having enough fluids can help you recover more quickly, as many symptoms of common illnesses have a tendency to make you feel dehydrated.

  • Limit the spread of germs: In families, germs can spread quickly due to living in close quarters. If one member of your family is sick, be sure to thoroughly disinfect your home and practice exceptionally good hygiene to limit the chances of it spreading to another family member.

  • Stay up to date on flu vaccines: It's important that every member of your family stays up to date on flu vaccines in order to protect yourself against this common illness every time flu season rolls around. For families worried about vaccines, this still applies; thimerosal-free and preservative-free vaccines exist for parents who are concerned. Additionally, be sure to follow through with any multi-dose vaccines. These vaccines specifically need the multiple doses to be effective.

For more information on flu vaccines and flu prevention, contact Nationwide Medical Surgical today.