ADVERTORIAL BRINGING MORE THAN
HOMEWORK HOME By Ryan Hogan
It’s that time of year when we’re sending our kids back to school. Unfortunately, while schools are good places to learn they are great places to catch a disease. In fact, children’s Up- per respiratory illnesses (URI’s) cause more doctor visits and missed school days than any other illness in the US. Luckily, there are a few things you can do at home to help reduce the chances of your child getting sick at school this year.
HOW?
Before we talk prevention, we need to know how infection spreads. Many childhood illnesses are caused by viruses and bacteria that are transferred from person to person. URI’s increase in fall and winter as we spend more time crowded indoors. All it takes is one sick child, going to school for the spread to begin. Small droplets from a child’s cough or sneeze travel through the air and land on surfaces like desks, doorknobs and people. These germs are easily spread when someone touches the contaminated object and then pro- ceeds to touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Children’s immune systems are less mature than those of adults, so they’re more vulnerable to these germs. Washing your hands and your nasal passages and also keeping their hands away from their nose, eyes and mouth are the most preventative habits to form at a young age.
sanitizer before eating snacks, lunch and after using a shared computer mouse, pencil sharpener, water fountain or other community objects.
Now, most people know we need to wash our hands, but one thing most people don’t really relate their health to is nasal hygiene. Using a saline spray with xylitol, such as Xlear Nasal Spray, is safe for all ages. Research has shown this natural sweetener is useful in preventing bacterial otitis media (ear infections), among other upper respiratory problems that are most likely to occur in fall and winter months. Additional xylitol studies have also shown a significant reduction in asth- ma attacks when a xylitol nasal spray is used on a daily basis. Xylitol affects nose and throat bacteria in two ways:
• Decreases the adherence of harmful bacteria on their surface cells.
• Stimulates the body’s own natural defense system
Since the average American child has six to ten colds a year, using a xylitol nasal spray is a safe and effective way to pro- mote better upper respiratory health, year round.
FINAL HEALTHY TIPS
In addition to frequent hand-washing, teach your child some other school health basics:
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Give your child a package of tissues to keep in his or her desk.
• Encourage your child not to share water bottles, food or other personal items.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Our best defense is to stop cold germs where they breed. Good hand-washing is the most effective way to prevent bac- teria and viruses from spreading. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, handling trash and prior to touching food to help eliminate germs. Soap and water should be used for 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Using alcohol-based hand cleaners is also effective. Remind your child to use the
28 Central Florida natural awakenings
• Ask your child’s teacher to include hand-washing time before lunch or snacks.
• Have your whole family practice nasal hygiene and the use of xylitol saline spray like Xlear.
Even with all of these tips, your kids are bound to come down with something over the course of the school year. We all get sick at some point or another, forming healthier habits and maintaining a positive attitude is all we can do as parents.
For more information, please visit
www.xlear.com.
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