How to Keep Your Children Healthy During Cold and Flu Season When the season starts to get cooler, this is the time wherein the common cold and flu became prevalent. Kids are mostly affected by these nasty viruses because they are more prone to acquiring germs while playing and since they still have limited knowledge on proper hygiene. Prevention is still best especially for kids so it always better to keep them healthy all-year round by giving them nutrient-rich foods and adequate rest. Flu vaccine is also essential since this can keep the symptoms milder and shorten the number of sick days. Here are several helpful tips that can keep cold and flu at bay: Teach good hygiene Teaching your children proper hygiene does not only protect them from cold and flu but to all sorts of diseases caused by germs. Washing hands frequently should always be on the priority list. Viruses that causes cold and flu spread through direct contact with oral and nasal secretions and children are mostly affected because they play closely together and they are still learning proper hygiene. Washing hands...
The Influenza virus is a unique respiratory viral disease that can have serious economic and social disruption to society. The virus is airborne transmitted through droplets release by coughing or sneezing from an infected person or by touching infected surfaces. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may even result in death. People with the virus usually experience fever, headache, shivering, muscle pain and cough, which can lead to more severe respiratory illness such as pneumonia. People most susceptible to the flu virus are elderly individuals and young children as well as anyone whose health or immune system has been compromise. The most effective way to counteract the influenza virus is to get the flu vaccine which is available by shots or nasal spray before the flu season as well as practicing safe hygiene. (CDC, 2013)
Although people should have the freedom to choose to be vaccinated, the public needs to be educated about the personal, economical, and social benefits of receiving the influenza vaccine. In addition, people who are at a high risk of contracting influenza as well as health care providers should be encouraged to receive an influenza vaccine in order to decrease the major health burden associated with the disease. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory system and it is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, and nonproductive cough. Influenza is spread from person to person by inhalation of the droplets produced when a person infected with influenza coughs or sneezes. In addition, it can also be spread by contact with infected objects such as utensils.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Public confidence in immunization is critical to sustaining and increasing vaccination coverage rates and preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs)” (para. 1). In recent history, there has been a significant decline in public confidence because of a variety of factors, such as vaccination does not always mean immunization, vaccines expose children to toxins, and children can build immunity naturally. The number of parents who are choosing not to vaccinate their children is growing yearly because there are certain exemptions that parents can claim, even if the vaccine is mandatory in their state.
Throughout 1918 and 1919, influenza spread quickly in three waves killing an estimated 50 million to 100 million people worldwide. With the best-recorded first case having occurred in Fort Riley, the contagious flu spread across military camps around the United States. Due to the world war, the influenza virus was brought over to Europe where it infected people in nearly every country. This disease would end up causing one of the greatest pandemics in human history, but would also catalyze great advancements in science and medicine.
Influenza is very contagious and spreads rapidly from person to person. Influenza causes worldwide yearly epidemics. According to World Health organization Influenza affects 5-15% world’s population and resulting in 500,000 deaths yearly. Ottenberg stated that, in United States, an average of 200,000 were hospitalized and 36,000 died each year from influenza complications. Influenza is the sixth leading cause of death among US adults and is related to 1 in 20 death in persons older than 65 years. Disease control and prevention estimates indicate that infections like H1N1 which is one of the types of influenza, have resulted in an estimated 42 to 86 million cases and 8520 to 17620 deaths. As I mentioned earlier that infections like influenza are very contagious, they can spread easily from hcw to Patient and back to hcw. The most efficient and effective method of preventing influenza infection is vaccination(The best way to prevent influenza is with annual vaccination).(Sullivan,2010) (Gregory,Tosh &Jacobson, 2005). Motivated by a desire to actively avoid illness Influenza may increase the risk for death in people with existing heart, lung, or circulation disorders. In fact, the higher than average number of winter deaths in people with heart disease may be due only to the occurrence of influenza during those months.Vaccination provides immunity to fight against infection.To increase resistance to harm by modifying the environment to minimize preventable illness (NEED TO CHANGE WORDING)
Ng, Sophia, et al. "The Effect Of Age And Recent Influenza Vaccination History On The Immunogenicity And Efficacy Of 2009-10 Seasonal Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccination In Children." Plos One 8.3 (2013): e59077. MEDLINE. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
“Seasonal Influenza-Associated Hospitalization in the United States.” USA.gov, 24 June 2011. Web. 31 Jan. 2012
...ft on surfaces like the raining on the bus and insects that can bite you and infect you. Since you know you are going to be in contact with them, you have to take precautions not to get sick. The best way to do this is to eat a well-balanced diet making sure your food is cooked properly and handled properly. You should also make sure to wash your hands frequently. You should especially wash them before eating to stop microorganisms from getting on your food and then into your body. You should also thoroughly wash your hands after using the bathroom to prevent the spread of germs. Washing your hands is also important after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. You should also wash your hands before and after touching a cut or wound. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that proper hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.6
Schools, offices, and any workforce should require students and employees before entering to protect those who surround them from getting sick. Students, in fact, before they enroll to school, they are required to get their yearly flu and other required vaccinations. Hence, this should continue so none of the students and staff would get infected. Despite that many people still do not believe in vaccinations, there is more proof shown that vaccinations had been a great help to many. It decreases the number of people getting sick and getting infected with serious diseases. Furthermore, it lessens the pain of a person who is ill because he or she is protected due to the vaccinations that was given to him or her. However, people should not take for granted of getting vaccinated, especially for the parents. Immunizations will protect their children and themselves from getting sick. Vaccinations are surely safe and they, indeed, prevent illnesses such as measles, chickenpox, shingles, polio, etc. that anyone may encounter. Hopefully, more vaccinations would develop and continue to be given for different types of diseases that may develop in the future. People need to keep in mind that the more people will vaccinate, the more healthier and safer the surroundings will become. All the more people will be encouraged and they will believe that
Disinfecting toys, surfaces, utensils, and bedding should be part of a regular routine in order to prevent the spread of germs which can cause illness.
...e flu are very similar to those of the regular flu. However concern arises, because the possibility of the virus creating greater complications is likely. To prevent one from contracting the swine flu, he or she should get vaccinated. The main difference between the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine is the components of which these vaccines are composed of. One should make the decision to get the swine flu vaccine based on one’s age and current medical condition. It is highly recommended that children and people to the age of twenty-four years-old receive the swine flu vaccine, because they have weaker immunity levels. It is best to ask a doctor which decision is preferred. The goal of health professionals is to eliminate the H1N1 virus as a global health threat, and to allow it to become a mere virus that can be prevented by proper vaccinations.
The Flu was first founded in Seattle September, 1918. The avian flu can also be known as the “Bird Flu”. The bird flu is being passed around by migratory birds. It can be transmitted from birds to mammals and in some limited circumstances to humans. The flu will also be known as the H5N1 virus. The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because its virulent (deadly; extremely dangerous) and it can evolve like other influenza viruses. As many other viruses and illnesses the flu can be a lot more deadlier. When you get the flu the lungs are severely harmed from infected cells called macrophages and T-cells. The virus can spread way beyond the lungs but generally do not. Many people catch the flu and think they have the common cold because of some of the same symptoms. But actually the flu can be more dangerous if you don’t treat it immediately.
Henry Ukpeh confirms that it’s normal for toddlers to get sick due to the weather, germs by others or unhygienic of objects or materials used in class. Ukpeh mentioned how the common places to get toddlers sick are daycare centers. She says “the perfect environment for the transmission of viruses” (Anderson, 2016, p. 2). This quote is true because in a daycare several children attend and may have different kinds of illnesses that can be contagious or harmful to others. There were many illnesses found in a daycare center, including the common cold, stomach bugs, pink eye or hand, foot and mouth disease are caused by viruses (Anderson, 2016). These viruses can be contagious and easily spread through direct and indirect transmissions. For example, wiping their nose, sneezing, coughing, touching or sharing toys with others (Anderson, 2016). Toddlers who are sick shouldn’t be permitted to come to school because it may be contagious and spread to others. Germs can be good and bad for our health, but it’s pretty harmful to young children because their immune system is not well-developed. However, to prevent toddlers from getting sick is to make them wash their hands as soon as they get home, as well as before they eat or interact with siblings (Anderson,
“Researchers in London estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented” (“Hygiene Fast Facts”, 2013, p. 1). Hands are the number one mode of transmission of pathogens. Hands are also vital in patient interaction, and therefore should be kept clean to protect the safety of patients and the person caring for the patient. Hand hygiene is imperative to professional nursing practice because it prevents the spread of pathogens, decreases chances of hospital-acquired infections, and promotes patient safety. There is a substantial amount of evidence that shows why hand hygiene is important in healthcare
Everyone in today’s world has fallen victim to the common cold or the flu. We need to remember that spreading these two communicable disease by simply washing our hands, and receiving the flu vaccine. The action of washing your hands, or getting the flu vaccine will save you from missing out on something that is important to you. No one wants to miss out on a party, or going out to dinner and a movie with their family. So please remember to wash your hands, and get the flu vaccine.