Get ahead of family illness with these 10 tips
Having sick kids is an unpleasant experience for all involved. It can pay to think ahead about a plan and how you’ll respond when (rather than if) a bug comes home to your house. Here are 10 tips we always recommend.
1. Expect illness
Mental preparedness can help when a situation does occur. Remember to just take the very next step and remind yourself you’ve got through this before.
2. Handwashing
You know the drill: regularly wash with soap and water or hand sanitiser, and teach little ones to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
3. Keep it to yourself
Handwashing done? Further educate your children about the importance of not sharing personal items like utensils, lip balm and water bottles.
4. Stay informed
Keep an eye on local health advisories and be aware of any outbreaks or increased flu or COVID-19 activity in your area.
5. Carer’s leave
A sick child needs a plan. Know who to report absentees to at your child’s school, plus your own workplace’s processes around carer’s leave. You can get an absence from work certificate from your TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist to cover carer’s leave – walk ins are available. Find out more here.
6. Medicines
Make sure you have adequate supplies for the family’s cold and flu, pain and allergies. These include pain relievers (tablets, gels and creams), anti-inflammatories, chest rubs, oral rehydration solutions, nasal decongestants (tablets or sprays) and saline nasal spray.1 Not every item is suitable for all ages, so ask your Pharmacist how to support your child.
7. Fresh food
Serve immune-boosting foods like citrus fruits, yogurt and green leafy vegetables in juices or snack plates, or batch-cook stew or soup for each-to-digest nourishment.
8. Low expectations
At this time, it’s perfectly OK to just get through. More screen time and less interesting evening meals can be a necessary consequence of caring for a sick child.
9. Trust your gut
See your doctor if your child is unusually lethargic or irritable, develops a rash, has trouble breathing, can’t or won’t drink fluids. cannot keep fluids down, isn’t passing urine or has a recurring fever.2
10. Family communication
Ensure your partner is aware of emergency contacts, healthcare providers and the steps to take in case someone falls ill. If you have teenage children, share this plan with them as well.