One of the few times you don’t want your child to share, is when they have a cold.  The cold is the most common infectious disease in people; there are hundreds of viruses that cause them and we cannot hope to build up immunity to them all.

 When someone in your household goes down with a cold, the only thing you can do is minimise your chances of catching it too.

 

Keep your hands clean

It’s important to keep your hands as clean as possible; not only yours, but your child’s too.    Encourage your child to practice proper hand hygiene by making it fun – hand-washing games with fun-shaped soaps, or the use of reward charts, can help you achieve this. 

 

Use tissues

The most hygienic way to contain germs when we cough and sneeze is to use tissues, and they should be thrown away immediately after use.  If there are no tissues available, then the crook of your elbow is the next best option.  Don’t use your hands, otherwise they will be covered with germs and you may not be able to wash them straight away.

 

Don’t share food

Don’t be tempted to share food, drink of eating utensils with your child – the virus that causes colds can be transferred by saliva.  

 

Eat chicken soup

Chicken soup is not only good for the soul, it’s good for combating the effects of colds too. 

Its warm liquid can help soothe sore throats and unblock stuffy noses – make sure you have some tissues handy!  Chicken soup containing vegetables is packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants which can help charge up the immune system and help fight infection.   

 

Drink lots of fluids

Drinking lots of fluids will help keep you hydrated – it won’t flush the cold and flu germs out of your system, but will help you to feel better.  Warm drinks such as herbal tea, clear broth, and hot water with honey and lemon are all soothing and will help ease congestion.  Avoid coffee and alcohol though, as these drinks will dehydrate you.  If you really can’t persuade your child to drink herbal teas etc, then warm juice makes a good alternative.

 

Eat nutrient-rich foods

If your child has a cold or you feel like you might be coming down with one, tweak your diet. You should be eating mostly nutrition-rich foods, especially fruits and veggies, which are packed with vitamins to keep your immune system functioning at its best. Juices can be nourishing, too – just lay off concentrated and sugary varieties.

 

Keep your distance

If you can, try to ensure that your child stays in their room as much as possible to keep the germs contained within a small area.  If this isn’t possible, make sure everyone keeps their distance instead and difficult as it may be, NO hugs or goodnight kisses until they’re better.

 

Get enough good sleep

Studies have shown that lack of sleep has a big impact on our immune system – an average of less than seven hours sleep a night will triple your chances of catching a cold.  Equally, it’s been proven that good quality, deep sleep has restorative benefits.

 

 Follow these simple steps and say goodbye to sharing sniffles and sneezes with your child this winter.

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