Random musings: Ready to combat cold/flu season? #TBT

This post is from 2 years ago. I seem to have let my blog expire...I need to activate it again.

There seems to be something going around, so this is pretty appropriate. This is from my SendOutCards blog...please go over and check it out and sign up for my monthly email.

February 19, 2016

by r_tompkins

Get your medicine cabinet ready – cold and flu season is upon us. While putting your family in plastic bubbles to avoid the germs might sound like a good idea (it’s not!), here are a few easier ways to combat these germs and keep your family healthy.

Separate. When one family member gets sick, isolate them from the others. They do not need to be locked in a room alone, but keep them isolated as much as possible to prevent spreading the germs. If more than one comes down with it, keep them together. Pick a bedroom or family room and set it up so that they can stay there together. Bring in puzzles, games, movies, snacks, extra blankets, etc., so they can get comfortable and rest.

Sharing is not caring! More than likely, if you have one family member sick, the whole family will eventually get it. While it seems impossible to get the kids to share toys, sharing illness is another story. If the illness warrants a doctor’s visit, ask the doctor to put the rest of your family on stand-by, allowing you to call and request medicine if the others get sick. Your doctor may go ahead and write a prescription for the entire family, just in case. It will definitely save you money by avoiding individual appointments.

Natural alternatives. While prescription and OTC medicines are great at fighting illness, there are also some great natural medicines that can help alleviate symptoms in between doses. Check them out here!

Cleanliness. Washing your hands is important all the time. It is especially important now. Remind your kids (and yourself) to wash their hands regularly, especially after blowing their nose. Regularly wipe down surfaces, including doorknobs and light switches.

Organization. While being organized can’t actually fight off a cold, it can help you keep your sanity! Keep a dry erase board or notebook in a handy location to keep track of temperatures, medicine administered and symptoms. Designate a page for each person so that you have individual records. These are great to take to the doctor.

Getting sick is no fun, but it is a good excuse to curl up on the sofa and binge watch your favorite shows, so there is a bright side!

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