Infection Protection

Germs are everywhere — in your home, on your child’s toys and on shopping carts. Learn what you can do to keep your child healthy and reduce his or her risk of getting an infection.

While making sure children receive regular immunizations and influenza (flu) shots if they are over six months of age can help prevent serious illness, many minor infections are spread among children when they touch a contaminated object and then touch their eyes, noses or mouths. For example, when a child who has a cold rubs his nose and then opens a door, he transfers his germs to the doorknob. Anyone who opens the door afterward contacts those germs. Also, toddlers often put objects in their mouths, which can make them sick if an object contains any unusual germs.

Coughs and Colds

If your child has a cold or cough, teach her not to cough or sneeze on other people. Instead, she can cover her mouth with a tissue or sneeze into her shirt sleeve at the elbow. To prevent illness, encourage your child to avoid touching her eyes, nose or mouth to prevent colds and eye infections, and teach the basics of proper handwashing.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

To help children avoid bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting, use disinfectants when cleaning diaper-changing areas and bathrooms. Also, be sure to cook all poultry thoroughly and carefully wash your hands and any object that comes in contact with the raw meat, such as a knife or cutting board. Also, avoid placing the cooked meat on the same platter on which the uncooked meat was prepared.

You can also help kids avoid illness by teaching them the following guidelines:

• Always wash their hands after contact with bodily fluids, especially after using the restroom.
• Avoid touching reptiles such as snakes or turtles, and don’t keep these animals as pets. They often carry Salmonella, a cause of diarrhea.
• Pets are meant for petting, so refrain from kissing pets, especially puppies, which can transmit worms and bacteria that cause diarrhea.

Skin Infections

Staphylococcus (staph) skin infections or boils can develop when bacteria enter a cut or scrape. Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of staph infections, so make sure everyone in your home washes their hands frequently with an antibacterial soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also, be sure to:

• Have everyone shower daily.
• Keep fingernails cut short.
• Discourage nose picking; approximately 30 percent of people have staph bacteria present in their noses.
• Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, athletic clothing and especially razors.
• Cover cuts or scrapes with antibiotic ointment and a bandage for a few days.

Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD. Revised February 2009.