Germ Prevention Tips and Tricks

Help Minimize Sickness and Promote Better Hygiene in Your Kids

Sep 1, 2007 Denise Oliveri

When the kids head back to school, the risk of contracting germs rises. Here are some helpful tips to promote good personal hygiene to minimize sickness.

A sick child is no fun at all. Who wants to feel creepy and be cranky? No one really. Teaching good personal hygiene is a good way to keep your child as germ-free as possible in order to prevent the development of bacteria and other illnesses. Germ prevention is a constant job that never ends as long as we live. So, promoting better hygiene now may lead to good habits throughout your child's life.

What is a Germ?

A germ is also called a microbe. It is a seed that likes to live in the human body (and other entities) and has the potential to grow into bacteria, a virus, or fungus, among other diseases. Germs can be found literally everywhere, including tables, cups, food, and our bodies. Germs are so small that you cannot see them without a microscope, and quite frankly, you would probably be sick at the sight of how many germs are making their home on you right now!

Germ Prevention

Okay, enough of the gruesome details. Let's get on to how you can minimize germs for you and your family. Here are the top five rules that you must remember:

Washing Hands. People often ask how often you should wash your hands in order to get rid of germs. The answer is: "Tell your children to wash their hands for as long as it takes them to sing their ABCs, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or the "Happy Birthday" song." (according to the MayoClinic, December 5, 2005). Use an antibacterial soap with warm water for best results.
No Sharing. Restrain from letting a friend share a drink with you. Besides passing along many simple illnesses, sharing can lead to a very serious disease called meningitis, which is a bacterial or viral infection that causes headache, high fever, vomiting, and a stiff neck. Meningitis can be fatal in some cases. Also abstain from sharing personal hygiene products such as your hairbrush.
Cover Up. Sneezing is a leading way to pass germs onto others. It is recommended that if you sneeze, to do so in a tissue or other disposable substance. When there are no tissues available, you should turn and sneeze into the crook of your arm (see example below). Never sneeze into your hands because you spread and contract germs in large numbers by doing this.
Keep Immunizations Up-to-Date. Make sure your child is properly immunized. It is also a good idea to ask your family doctor or pediatrician about obtaining a flu vaccination for your child. This product is now available as a child-friendly nasal spray. Cool!
Stay Home. If you think that your child may be sick, it is best to opt to keep him home from school. Of course, the older your child is, and the more he understands about how to minimize passing germs to others, it may be okay to send him along.

Happy hygiene!

The copyright of the article Germ Prevention Tips and Tricks in Parenting Tweens is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish Germ Prevention Tips and Tricks in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A child sneezing. Promote good hygiene.