It’s called the common cold for a reason. Within the first two years of life, your child will probably have between eight and ten of them. Although most colds are uncomplicated and go away by themselves in about a week, there are steps you can take to keep your family healthy, especially during the winter months.
• If you know someone is sick, keep your child away from that person.
• If your baby is under 3 months old, take special precaution to limit exposure to the cold virus. Because infants’ immune systems are not as well developed, a virus that causes mild illness in a child or adult can be much more serious for an infant.
• Teach your children to wash their hands frequently! Wash with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This really is the best way to prevent the spreading of infection.
• Try to keep your kids from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. The membranes of these areas are the easiest place for germs to enter the body.
• If your child has a cold, teach him/her to cough or sneeze away from others and to use a tissue. (If they don’t have a tissue, they can use their upper sleeve or elbow.) If children use their hands to cover their mouth, they risk spreading the virus to every surface they proceed to touch—a toy, a sibling, etc.
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