Recently,
I had a serious attack of cold which blocked my nasal vents and lasted for
days. It made me so uncomfortable and very cautious when around people. I had
to beef up my hygiene by washing my hands often and constantly using a
sanitizer, especially after sneezing or blowing out ‘the stem’. I didn’t want
anyone contacting it, not after getting infected by a colleague.
I had a serious attack of cold which blocked my nasal vents and lasted for
days. It made me so uncomfortable and very cautious when around people. I had
to beef up my hygiene by washing my hands often and constantly using a
sanitizer, especially after sneezing or blowing out ‘the stem’. I didn’t want
anyone contacting it, not after getting infected by a colleague.
As Istruggled to rid myself of this cold bacteria, I thought about the
vulnerability of our children as they daily interact with other children at
school. A seemingly minor bout of cold experienced by just one child in a
classroom can turn viral if not properly managed.
This post
is a wakeup call to the mamas out there, who after the
‘back to school’ hype may not remember to take necessary steps
to prevent their children from contacting common communicable diseases such as
cold, cough, etc. Even when we thought the cold and rains would end with
September, that didn’t turn out as expected. We are still experiencing the torrential
blessing.
is a wakeup call to the mamas out there, who after the
‘back to school’ hype may not remember to take necessary steps
to prevent their children from contacting common communicable diseases such as
cold, cough, etc. Even when we thought the cold and rains would end with
September, that didn’t turn out as expected. We are still experiencing the torrential
blessing.
Rain or
not, we need to adhere to the tips below to keep
our kids healthy in this season and also in the forthcoming harmattan season:
not, we need to adhere to the tips below to keep
our kids healthy in this season and also in the forthcoming harmattan season:
1. Hand washing
– Washing of hands did not end with the Ebola crisis, it is a simple and necessary healthy habit. Teach your kid to wash their hands with soap
as frequent as possible. This should span from after every toilet use, once
they come in from the playground, before and after eating a snack and once they
come home from school or an outing. And when a sink is not close by, use a hand
sanitizer. Endeavour to place one in backpack of a child
that is of age.
– Washing of hands did not end with the Ebola crisis, it is a simple and necessary healthy habit. Teach your kid to wash their hands with soap
as frequent as possible. This should span from after every toilet use, once
they come in from the playground, before and after eating a snack and once they
come home from school or an outing. And when a sink is not close by, use a hand
sanitizer. Endeavour to place one in backpack of a child
that is of age.
2. Educate your child on the germ etiquette – Teach your child to sneeze or
cough into a tissue or napkin to avoid infecting others and when one is not
available. Educate them to sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow and
not into the bare hands. Also remind them to stay away from sick children as much
as possible to avoid them getting infected.
cough into a tissue or napkin to avoid infecting others and when one is not
available. Educate them to sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow and
not into the bare hands. Also remind them to stay away from sick children as much
as possible to avoid them getting infected.
3. Maintain
a high level of hydration – If your child consume as much water as mine, be
happy as it helps flush out toxins and keep the blood purified. You can use
other healthy alternative if your kid does not like drinking water often, 100% fruit
juice by the likes of welch’s is a good option.
a high level of hydration – If your child consume as much water as mine, be
happy as it helps flush out toxins and keep the blood purified. You can use
other healthy alternative if your kid does not like drinking water often, 100% fruit
juice by the likes of welch’s is a good option.
4. Eat
healthy food – We grew up to heed to the saying “an apple a day keeps
the doctor away”. Make fruits and vegetable a part of your child’s daily meal;
create variations like smoothies and drastically reduce junk and processed
foods. Make ‘treats’ a rare exception.
healthy food – We grew up to heed to the saying “an apple a day keeps
the doctor away”. Make fruits and vegetable a part of your child’s daily meal;
create variations like smoothies and drastically reduce junk and processed
foods. Make ‘treats’ a rare exception.
5. Sleep
– Establishing and maintaining a good bedtime routine can do wonders to your
child’s health. Ensure your children get at least 10 hours of sleep daily.
– Establishing and maintaining a good bedtime routine can do wonders to your
child’s health. Ensure your children get at least 10 hours of sleep daily.
6. Never
miss an immunization – Immunization builds and boosts the immune system, thus
enabling it to with stand attacks by bacteria and virus. Prevention
is always the best medicine; always ensure your child is up to date on
immunization.
miss an immunization – Immunization builds and boosts the immune system, thus
enabling it to with stand attacks by bacteria and virus. Prevention
is always the best medicine; always ensure your child is up to date on
immunization.
Did I forget any tip? Share your tips in the comment box below.
Wishing you and the children good health and strength this school year!
Credits – http://www.webmd.com/children/features/germs-in-school-room?page=4
Image credits – http://medicalmommies.com/?page_id=540
3 Comments
lizzy unak
October 24, 2015 at 6:47 amIt's nice ma! Av learnt something!!!
As an addendum, we should also strive to stay away from dust… for someone like me, dust easily makes my nose wet!!!
Hope it helps ma??
lizzy unak
October 24, 2015 at 6:44 amThis comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous
October 16, 2015 at 7:31 pmVery interesting ! In addition , we should also stay away from cold 'fluids'; water,drinks etc @ such periods. More so, we could have the warm-water/robb dab on the chest & face to act as a fast relief !!!