Related Programs Is it a Cold or an Allergy? Fighting the Flu Flu Cold and Flu Smarts for Kids Summary & Participants Adults may already know the new ways to avoid catching and spreading the flu. But you may need to teach these behaviors to kids. Listen to an infection control expert discuss the new cough etiquette. Medically Reviewed On: July 05, 2008 Webcast Transcript MARIE KASSAI, RN: The season begins on October 1st; the peak of the season is usually the end of January-February, and it's over usually by March 1st. ANNOUNCER: That's the flu season. When fever and aches and pains and headaches spread easily from person to person. Especially among kids. MARIE KASSAI, RN: One of the populations where the spread of infections is most difficult to contain is in a daycare center because you have children. You have children who have runny noses, who don't really understand how to contain infection, although in many instance they're taught. But that's a very difficult environment to control the spread of infection. ANNOUNCER: Cough etiquette is one key to combating the spread of the flu… and experts say it is never too early to start teaching kids. MARIE KASSAI, RN: Coughing into the sleeve of your arm is considered to be much safer than coughing into your hands and then spreading the flu that way. It is less likely that you will spread it in that particular manner. ANNOUNCER: Parents may also want to kids to use and dispose of tissues. And to wash their hands. MARIE KASSAI, RN: There are two ways to wash your hands effectively. Number one is with soap and water and that requires at least ten to fifteen seconds of actual scrubbing with soap on your hands. After you've wet them, you apply the soap. You scrub them ten to fifteen seconds. The other way is by using the alcohol hand washes, and alcohol hand wash is now available in stores. It's good. Many, many teachers are now carrying that with them. And that can be an alternative to soap and water if, in fact, soap and water is not available. ANNOUNCER: But, keeping the germs away outside the home is easier said then done. Things get more difficult with older children. MARIE KASSAI, RN: Transmission of infection in schools is a little bit more difficult because children of school age are much more likely to share their personal items. Share their food, share their drink, share their candy, whatever. So this sharing is sometimes the media for the transmission of infection. ANNOUNCER: And while some kids might welcome the suggestion to skip school when they are well, there are good reasons to stay home when little Johnny or Jane are sick. MARIE KASSAI, RN: It's critical that children stay home when they're sick for several reasons. The most important one is the spread of infection within the environment, within the school. Secondly is that children may in fact be exposed to other illnesses while they're ill, and you don't want a child to be exposed to another illness when in fact they're dealing with an initial illness. If they have an outbreak among the children or they have a lot of sick children, they're also going to have sick teachers. ANNOUNCER: What about at home? MARIE KASSAI, RN: The spread of flu between two siblings is almost inevitable. If one has it the other one probably is already incubating it. ANNOUNCER: But don't make the mistake of not trying. MARIE KASSAI, RN: Good technique in the home, good care of hygiene, good care of food, good care of utensils has proven to be very, very successful in preventing the spread of infection in the home. ANNOUNCER: At home, school, or daycare, kids are natural spreaders of the flu. But to stay well all winter, parents and teachers must teach kids to keep their germs to themselves. MARIE KASSAI, RN: The most important thing that people can do during the flu season is to wash their hands. Period. RELATED PROGRAMS Video - Is it a Cold or an Allergy? Transcript Article - Fighting the Flu

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