’Tis the season for family, food and fun. But health experts warn it’s also prime time for spreading illness.
“With togetherness comes sharing, and inevitably part of sharing is sharing our exposures and our germs,” said Dr. Michael Glazier, Chief Medical Officer at Bluebird Kids Health. “In pediatrics, we typically see a rise in illness shortly after the holidays, and we are expecting that.”
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So what can families do? Experts say start with the basics: good hand hygiene.
Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
“It’s simple and straightforward, but it’s something we as parents have to model for our children and encourage all the time,” Glazier said.
Another big one: sleep.
- Preschoolers: up to 14 hours
- School-aged kids: 10 to 12 hours
- Teens: at least eight hours
- Adults: aim for eight hours
“When we become sleep deprived, our immune system weakens, and we’re more susceptible to germs,” Glazier said.
Watch out for respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV and stomach bugs like norovirus. Avoid sharing drinks and utensils, and if you’re sick, cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow.
“Slow down, take care of yourself, and if you haven’t yet — get your flu shot,” Glazier said.
Bottom line: Keep it simple. Wash your hands, get enough sleep and don’t overdo it.