I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for MedImmune Specialty Care. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
A few years ago, our family had the misfortune of coming down with the H1N1 Virus, more commonly known as the Swine Flu. We had been hearing about the pandemic that was going on in the news but we never imagined that our family would fall prey to this serious virus. Unfortunately, since we are all asthmatics, we got hit pretty hard by it and were all pretty much bedridden for over a week. This experience really opened our eyes about the importance of taking certain precautions to stay healthy, especially during flu season.
Everyone should be concerned about the flu. In case you didn’t know, flu season is at its peak during the school year when children are more susceptible to picking up germs and bringing them home to infect the entire family with them. We suspect that this is exactly what happened in our home that year, either our boys brought the virus home from being exposed to it at school or I brought it home from being exposed to it in my classroom. The flu is highly contagious and can be very serious, especially for people with preexisting medical conditions which compromise their immunity. Additionally, the elderly and babies are at greater risk of getting very ill from contracting the flu.
Although one can never fully protect oneself against the flu, there are some things that we can all do to protect ourselves. Here are some tips and tricks for staying healthy during this flu season*:
- Make sure you and your family get vaccinated against the flu and the prominent flu strains that are of concern this season.
- Wash your hands whenever possible and carry antibacterial sanitizer for those moments when washing your hands is not an option.
- Stay away from others who appear to be sick or exhibit the symptoms of the flu such as coughing, sneezing, high fever, or generally lethargic.
- Teach your children to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing with a tissue whenever possible.
- Sanitize areas that have come in contact with germs with a part water, part bleach solution. Such areas include doorknobs, phone receivers, and desk tops.
Make sure you check out Elizabeth Pantley’s free e-booklet, “A Parent’s Guide to Flu Season,” to further educate yourself about ways you can protect your children and your family from the flu. I found the facts and information in this booklet to be very useful and especially appreciated learning exactly why the flu is so dangerous to our families. It was shocking to me to learn that, in less than 10 years, the flu has gone from the 65th to the 10th most common reason why children are hospitalized. I, for one, want to try to protect my own children from having to go through this.
When it comes to the flu, prevention is key. It’s important that parents educate themselves about the ways that they can protect their children and their families from contracting the flu. By working together, we can limit the spread of the flu in our own communities and keep our kids healthy this flu season!
*We are not medical professionals and any statements we make are based on our own experiences and are not meant to be taken instead of medical advice from a licensed medical professional.
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for MedImmune Specialty Care. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2013, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
Knock on wood-the only time I ever got the flu was when I allowed them to give me that flu shot-for me it is no shot=no flu! It is terribly difficult to stay away from these germs and there are a couple of great suggestions here.
Great tips! We do our best to practice them as prevention is so key. Love the e-booklet. Will be reading to see more tips as we certainly want to keep the flu away from our home!
I love the image for those tips! I work in healthcare & it is definitely needed to keep our patients safe & flu-free! Another tip is to sneeze/cough into your shoulder if you don’t have a tissue to stop the germs from flying everywhere.
We do the same things as much as possible in our house. I’ve never actually gotten the flu, so I have never gotten the shot, but my kids get the vaccine every year (nasally) because I don’t want them to get it.
Those are such great tips. I was pregnant when the Swine flu hit and nobody could understand why I was so concerned and avoided people. I hope we all stay helathy this year.
Great tips! I’m suffering from a cold right now and ahhhhhh…..
I get the flu shot every year. My Dr suggests it because I have had a hip replacement and the flu infection can sometimes cause lots of problems with replacements.
Look at those long eyelashes!
Great tips here, and a great infographic too.
We just went on vacation and hubby and I were adamant about using antibacterial hand wipes after hands on activities, and reminding the kiddos to keep their hands away from their faces.
some great tips.. hate it when the kiddo’s get sick.
we got hit with the H1N1 too. And I had a brand new baby. We were VERY fortunate and only got it very mildly. It went through everyone in our house except the baby. That was miraculous in itself. We work hard at keeping everyone as healthy as possible now. Flu season just stinks.
I am afraid we have already caught it this year 🙁 I have been sick for a couple weeks now!
I am so scared of anyone getting the flu in our house! We are vigilant about hand washing, but sometimes, even that isn’t enough. Someone always comes down with it each year.
The last time I got the flu it was a day after I got the flu shot so I waited about 4 years to get the nerve up again. I got the flu shot this year and no flu! Woohoo!
As a h1n1 survivor, I try to take the precautions in my family to keep us all healthy… Last year the flu took my mother, so we hate it around here.
I haven’t had the flu in a few years but you can be sure I use all those tips to prevent it!
It is so important to do you best to try to prevent the spread of the flu virus. These are all great tips and people just need to follow through on them. Washing your hands before putting them on your food or face is so important.
We definitely want to avoid the flu. We have not had it for a few years now, but now my kids are at the age where they think I have no idea what I’m talking about. Teenagers. So hard to reason with about prevention tips. But I try!
With all the different strains of flu going around we need to be extra careful. Washing hands is a surefire way to be safe. Thanks for all the helpful tips!
teally good tips! its just starting to get really cold here in texas so these may come in handy!
Good tips! Two of my co-worked just came back to work, after a week off, from the flu. Now I’m off to wash my hands.
I love how it’s the ABC’s of Flu Prevention! Great tips!
We do a lot of elderberry and probiotics… along with washing our hands and allowing for plenty of rest when ill. Vitamin D too!