Tips to Avoid Cold and Flu Germs at Jobs Working With Children

Typically, anyone beginning to work closely with children, during cold and flu season, will quickly find they contract illnesses more frequently. This is one thing teachers, daycare workers, and pediatricians know well.

Children are curious. They like to touch, handle, taste, and, for the most part, they do not understand that certain things should be avoided. This includes when they have coughs and runny noses. It also includes activities for babies, as they do not understand they shouldn't place their fingers in their mouths, touch each other, and everything else, including common items like doorknobs and sink knobs.

Although the spread of germs cannot be completely avoided, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the damage:

1. Wash hands frequently - Changing dirty diapers, wiping runny noses, touching dirty clothes, etc, with mutiple children, cold and flu germs can travel easily. Washing hands frequenty can greatly reduce the risks.
2. Avoid kissing, especially on the mouth - The nose and mouth are primary locations for passing germs. Kiss the forehead if need be.
3. Wear a mask - If possible, ask if a mask can be worn.
4. If you're sick, avoid working with newborns - Between the ages of 0-3 months, newborns are still developing their immune systems, so they are not as equipped to fight off viruses.
5. Treat wounds, cuts, and diaper rash - Treat all open wounds and cover them to prevent them from being exposed to germs. Also, when treating diaper rash, wear gloves or wash your hands immediately afterwards. Stool carries a number of germs and bacteria.

The best way to handle cold and flu season while being surrounded by children, is to know the risks, and work to minimize them. Stay healthy by eating right, sleep enough, and take vitamins if possible. And if all else fails, keep cold and flu medicines near by.

Jobs working with children can be very rewarding, but be prepared.