What are the best habits to help our family stay healthy and minimize sickness?
Some basic things that every parent should be teaching their kids on a daily basis to stay healthy include simple, good hygiene: Brush teeth every day. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Be considerate by covering coughs and sneezes. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unclean hands. Get adequate rest so that your immune system works better.
When should I keep my child home to prevent spreading illness?
A child with a fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher needs to stay home from school or any group gatherings. It could be the very beginning of an illness. This avoids contaminating a workplace, daycare, or school setting to keep it healthy for everyone else.
When should I take my sick child to see a doctor?
Always trust your intuition! If your infant (3 months and younger) has a fever of 100.4 or higher, is feeding poorly, or breathing really fast, they need an evaluation. Children older than three months with a fever of 102, drinking less, or with difficulty breathing should see a physician.
What should I do to take care of a sick child at home?
When you have a sick child at home, there are
several things to consider: Make the child comfortable. Keep hydrated with
extra water or juice. Distance healthy children from the sick child as much as
possible. Encourage everyone to regularly and carefully wash hands. Finally, be
thoughtful of older family and friends that are more susceptible to illness.
