The flu vaccine is a great preventive step for those who are 6 months and older. But if your baby is less than 6 months, you will need to think outside the box for some alternatives for keeping your child healthy this flu season. Here are 5 effective ways to increase your child's chances of staying healthy.
Get Your Family Vaccinated--If you have other children, who are older, make sure that they receive the vaccine early. Parents should receive the shot, as well as any caregivers, grandparents, or others who see your child frequently. This makes them less of a risk now and as the season reaches its typical peak during January and February.
Isolate Those Who Are Ill--If someone in your family should catch a cold or even the flu; make sure the baby is kept away from them. This is particularly true with younger siblings who may not yet be able to consistently practice good hygiene such as covering their mouths when they sneeze or cough.
If you are caring for both the sick child and the baby, be certain to wash your hands frequently, and disinfect common surfaces to help deter its spread.
Wear a Mask--Should the main caregiver start to show signs of being contagious, hand off close contact, and regular daily chores such as diaper changes, and feeding to the other parent, grandparent, or someone the child knows who is well. And since, depending on the age of the child, they may not understand why you are not around as much; wear a mask when in close contact with the baby.
Get Treated Early--If you suspect that you are catching the flu, or that it's catching up to you, go for early treatment. Blood work can confirm whether you have it, and an antiviral medication can be prescribed. If administered within 48 hours of the start of the infection, it can often greatly reduce the seriousness and duration of the virus.
Eliminate Airborne Viruses with a Medical Grade HEPA Air Purifier--Both flu and the common cold are spread by airborne viruses. That is why the flu can cut such a broad swath through families and communities so quickly. Using a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier will reduce airborne viruses and bacteria as small as .3 microns from the air.
And even though some viruses are smaller than .3 microns, they tend to travel by attaching to normal household pollutants that are airborne such as dust, mold and mildew spores, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
Removing airborne pollutants that viruses can attach to means your baby's air is healthier. And breathing clean air has been shown to greatly increase infant health and reduce the risk of flu.
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