It’s said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and those words often ring true when it comes to upper respiratory infections like COVID, the flu, or the common cold.
As Decatur households battle infections and gear up for what may be a nasty flu-cold-COVID season, District Nurse Ashlee Carter, RN, offers tips for parents/guardians to keep their kids — and themselves — well during the school year:
Sleep: Get adequate sleep! Children 6-12 years of age should get between 9-12 hours of sleep per night. Teens aged 13-18 should get between 8-10 hours of sleep per night. Having a consistent bedtime routine is important!
Exercise: Help your child get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day. This will help them sleep better, fight off infection, improve performance in school, and manage stress better.
Hand Washing: Teach your child to sing the Happy Birthday song twice (about 20 seconds) while washing. Teach them to keep their hands away from their face and to cough or sneeze into their arm or shoulder.
Practice Healthy Eating Tips: Promote your child's health with nutritious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with adequate hydration. Encourage your child to drink water or milk and limit sugary and caffeinated beverages. Focus on lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for meals and snacks.
Reduce screen time: It will help your child sleep better at night and decrease stress/anxiety. Any screen time not associated with homework should be limited to 2 hours a day or less (this includes phones, TV, tablets, video games, and computers).