“Are pigs making people sick?” 

“Does this mean I can’t eat ham anymore?”

Have you gotten questions like these from your little ones? I have. As a parent, you are naturally concerned about your kids getting sick. But we have a tendency to get a bit overzealous about illnesses. Remember the scare over SARS and the Bird Flu? Sure they are very scary illnesses, but what is your risk of exposure?

That is the key when talking to kids about the Swine Flu. Be honest, explain that it is dangerous, but calm then with the knowledge that very few people die from it, then add the following tips to help keep them safe.

Wash Your Hands Often. This is easily the best way to prevent germs, but they have to use soap and water. (Mine think a good water only rinse qualifies as clean)

Cover Your Mouth When You Cough. Most kids should be working on this courtesy, but it is also a health factor. A cough can send germs flying across the room. We teach our kids to share, but this kind of sharing isn’t good. Also, have them cough into their elbow, not their hand. If they cough into their hand, then nest thing they touch become a Petri dish of unhealthy organisms. 

Don’t Spread Germs. Washing your hands is a good first step.  But what happens when they feel under the weather? Be safe. Keep then home. If they have a fever, keep them home. If they have body aches and a bad cough, keep them home. And if they have a fever, bad cough, and body aches, take them to the doctor!

Get Lots of Rest. Kids seem like perpetual motion machines at times. But you know the signs when your little one is running out of steam. This is the time to pounce and make sure they get their rest.  If they are fighting off an illness, they will sleep, but you have to encourage it first. Many times, pulling out one of their favorite books, along with a make sift bed on the couch is enough to send them to dream land.

The Centers for Disease Control says the symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to other strains of human flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A few patients have reported they suffered from diarrhea and vomiting.