Flu Season Preparedness #CMHMoms

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Children’s Mercy. All opinions are my own.

Everyone has a season they love and one they dislike. My favorite is definitely Fall. I enjoy the cooler temperatures that follow the sweltering summer. There’s something special about wearing jeans and sweatshirts as the leaves transition into beautiful hues and then tumble to the ground, allowing my kids to create crunchy piles to play in.

On the flip side, my least favorite season is Flu Season. In Missouri, flu season is already underway and spreading quickly. At Children’s Mercy, reported cases almost doubled each week in September. Consequently, doctors recommend that everyone over six months old receive a flu shot this year. If the flu is contracted, it can be especially severe for young children, particularly those under five, and especially under two years old. If you have someone in your family in this vulnerable age group, it’s vital for you to get vaccinated as well.

Proactively safeguarding against the flu is crucial. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise opting for the flu shot instead of the nasal spray vaccine this year. Along with getting vaccinated, here are several tips to help prevent the flu:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues.
• Ensure sufficient sleep.
• Consume probiotics (yogurt, fresh fruits, and vegetables).
• Take a probiotic supplement.
• Avoid biting your nails.
• Sanitize shared items frequently.

If you need more information on how the flu operates, check out these flu myth busters! You can also visit childrensmercy.org for additional helpful resources. Don’t forget to follow Children’s Mercy on Facebook and Twitter for more everyday parenting tips.

What special measures do you take to protect your family from the flu?