CDC Helping Fight the Flu

The 2015-2016 flu season has arrived. The flu virus is constantly changing so it is not uncommon for a new virus strand to appear each year. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive a flu vaccine. It is best to be vaccinated before flu season, or as early as possible into the season, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected against the virus before flu season goes into full affect. While vaccination is the first step in prevention, the CDC has a few other helpful tips for fighting the flu this season:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. In some cases, someone could also experience vomiting and diarrhea. If these symptoms occur, contact a medical professional. And if feeling flu-like symptoms, please be aware of spreading germs in the workplace.

Know the Facts and Fight the Flu

One in 6 people in the United States will catch the flu this season. While the timing of the flu is unpredictable, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds citizens that the seasonal flu can begin as early as October and tends to peak between December and February. Those at higher risk for flu complications include young children, pregnant women, elderly, and those suffering from medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic lung disease.

According to the CDC, the most important step in protecting yourself against the flu is to get vaccinated. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated as soon as flu vaccines become available. While children under 6 months of age are too young to be vaccinated, it is strongly encouraged that the people who care for them should be vaccinated instead. Aside from being vaccinated, other ways to help reduce the spread of influenza include:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that could host germs (especially children's toys and cell phones)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as germs quickly spread this way

Symptoms of the flu start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. Unlike the common cold, symptoms of the flu come on suddenly. They may include fevers, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, fatigue, muscle and body aches. Additionally,  irregular vomiting and diarrhea is more common in kids than adults. If you suspect that you, or the children in your life, have flu-like symptoms, contact a medical physician. By knowing the facts you can fight the flu!

Favorite Tips to Fight the Flu

All of us at The Philadelphia Nanny Network have been seeing and reading a lot about how to best prevent the flu, and we’re sure you have too. There are so many good tips out there, unfortunately, not in the same place, so we thought what better than to compile many of our favorite tips (from reputable health sources) in one place! Remember to bookmark this blog so you can always go to this guide.

• Consider getting your child a flu vaccine—remember young children are included in the “high risk group” by the Center for Disease Control 
• Make sure your child washes their hands often with plenty of soap and water 
• Remind your child to try to avoid touching their face
•  Try to avoid letting your child come in close contact with someone who is sick 
• At first sign of flu-like symptoms, allow your child to stay home for 24-hours of rest 
• Prepare healthy meals, take part in physical activities and make sure your child gets plenty of rest—boosting their immune system will do wonders for preventing the flu                   

Sometimes even if you take all of these steps, the flu can be unavoidable. So here are some tips of what parents and nannies can do to help your kids feel better: 

• Make sure the child stays hydrated with plenty of water—as try ice pops or fresh fruit icy drinks 
• Dress the child in layers—making it easier to deal with chills and fevers 
• Make sure the child is getting plenty of rest—encourage them to stay in bed or on the couch
•  Wash your hands and get a flu shot—Don’t let the flu spread around your family!

Do you have any tips that you would love to share with The Philadelphia Nanny Network, other nannies and/or other parents? Please leave a comment on our Facebook or Twitter page for everyone to see!