Keeping germs away
Well, I'm still not feeling so great, so this tip sheet on how to stay well in a house with kids might be just a leeetle thin. You're still welcome to help me out with ideas, though. (Would begging be unseemly in my weakened state?)
The thing is, while you might be wiping everything down, washing hands often, etc., moms can't go into complete quarantine when someone in the house is sick. If it's a child, that child probably needs some cuddling, which brings you in close proximity to the germs. Not to mention you might have to get pretty darn close to help get any medicine down.
And if it's mom who's sick, you're really in trouble. Unless you're lucky enough to have full-time household help, sick mom probably still has to perform at least some of her duties. She may have to make some meals, supervise baths, hand the kids things, etc. I find the germ-spreading potential of this a little scary.
So here are a few ideas:
--Kitchen tongs are my new best friend. I used them this morning to get cereal down from the cupboard and open it; and even to carry some little plates to the table. You could use a different pair to hand your child a pair of socks or a lunchbox he forgot. The kids got a kick out of this, and I worried less about spreading my germs, even though my hands were clean.
--Wash, wash, wash your hands. I know you all know this, and it still doesn't always work, but health professionals have long said this is the best way to prevent the spread of bugs. Remember to wash for at least 20 seconds, using plenty of soap. Teach younger children to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (or maybe something cooler) to pass the time.
And parents, take a few minutes to wash your hands after being at the office before those babies run up with their irresistible hugs at day's end. (Or keep hand sanitizer in the car -- not a bad idea anyway -- and slather it on before you come in.) That way the office germs should stay at the office.
--This Babycenter article points out the most important surfaces to disinfect when anyone is sick. They're things that everybody touches, like doorknobs, television remotes, toys, and (I would add) the phones and computer keyboards.
--This pediatrician reminds us to teach children to cover their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze. I've taught mine to cough into an elbow (as long as it's a dry cough) to keep germs off those hands, which are the key spreaders. When they're coughing every five seconds, there's no way you can wash your hands that much.
Your ideas?
Comments
I wash my hands so much, my skin gets horribly dry. And sometimes I make my three year old go wash his hands for no reason other than I figure he's due for it. I frequently wipe down switch plates, banisters, remotes, phones, etc. And when the receptionists at my job started spraying down their keyboards once a day with Lysol in the winter, the number of sick days people took dropped.
My kids seem to be pretty hardy, and it's been rare that they've both been sick. I'm more likely to catch a cold from one of them.
Honestly, the biggest thing I do when they are obviously sick is keep them home so they won't infect my friends or family. If your kid is feverish and vomiting, they can skip church for a week!
Posted by: Kayris | July 17, 2008 11:51 AM
According to a 2006 report published by the US Association of Poison Control Centers, and reported by all media outlets, "slathering on [alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels] could be the most irritating recommendation.....
That report found upwards of 12,000 cases of alcohol poisoning in kids 6 and under--directly attributed to traditional hand sanitizers.
Exactly why many experts are migrating to newer, alcohol-free, rinse free products that have been proven to be equally effective i.e. germ killing, but much safer and friendlier to the skin. According to Parent Magazine, one of the more popular products is "Soapopular"...active ingredient is a widely-accepted antiseptic and its dispensed in a foam format thats fragrance free and dye free. Wal-Mart super centers, select Target stores and online at www.soapyusa.com...a good resource for info i.e. hand sanitizer products is at www.handhygienefacts.blogspot.com
Posted by: DrStu | July 18, 2008 10:00 AM
Along the lines of the elbow sneeze, when I was a new teacher trying to avoid germs, a veteran taught me to sneeze into my shoulder and told me to teach my students this as well.
Posted by: Michelle | July 19, 2008 6:38 PM
Every time we get sick in my house, we have found that Lysol-ing the doorknobs, phones and any other commonly touched surface items really helps to stem the spread of germs.
Posted by: Lea | July 21, 2008 11:18 AM
So many people these days are germophobes like me! My friend sent me a really neat gift for my kids and me. It is called a Germy Wormy. It reduces the spread of germs as it is a “disposable sleeve to protect clothes” and is a great tool to teach my kids to cough and sneeze in their elbow instead of their hands. Check out their website.
http://www.germywormy.com
They have a fun for kids puppet show, activities, and a place to order the “arm sleeve”.
Posted by: Betsy Lee | November 4, 2008 10:35 PM
Chance are, by the time you (or child) are actually showing outward signs of sickeness, you've already spread the germs to each other. There is little you can do that you aren't already doing. Cleaning doorknobs, counter tops, toilet handles, light switches, etc should be part of your weekly cleaning. Toys that can be should be getting washed weekly or there abouts! If you can't submerge it in hot, soapy water, take a Clorox wipe to it or spray it with Lysol and wipe dry. If you child sleeps with a blanket, you should be washing it weekly. Hand towels in the kitchen and bathroom should be washed at least weekly. Once you get in the habit, it's second nature!
Posted by: holly | November 11, 2008 12:55 PM