Kids and germs go together like peanut butter and jelly. As we enter the holiday season you may have the opportunity to see your child's entire classroom come down with the flu. According to some pediatricians, a bout with six to eight flu, colds or ear infections a year is normal. While you can't abolish the runny noses and high fever, you can help your child build a stronger immune system for future battles. Teach your children some healthy habits and save the whole family from a few sleepless nights.
Wash, wash, wash your hands! This can't be said enough. Make sure your children wash their hands with soap before they touch any food. It doesn't need to be antibacterial, just a plain bar of soap will do. Keep some disposable wipes in the car or in your purse for those times when a sink isn't available. Kids like to touch everything from the neighbor's dog to used tissue and then rub their eyes or eat chips, so be sure to remind them when they come in from outside to wash their hands!
More sleep. When adults and children are sleep deprived their body's immune system becomes tired as well. Sleep allows the body to "regroup" and take inventory. How much sleep does your child need? A newborn may need up to 18 hours of quiet sleep time while toddlers need between 12 and 13. Preschool children should get 10 hours a day including their afternoon nap. Check with your day care or school to be sure children have "down time" or begin preparation for bedtime earlier. If your child has a hard time falling asleep, try a warm bath before bedtime with low lights and no outside distractions.
Fruits and Vegetables are ammunition for the body. Oranges and carrots many increase the body's production of infection fighting white blood cells and an antibody that coats cells surfaces to block out viruses. Try to incorporate five servings of fruits and veggies a day in their diet. For children a serving is about two tablespoons for toddlers and 1/4 cup for older kids. If your child squirms every time you mention fruit and vegetables, use tricks to disguise the nutrition. Cut up an apple and spread peanut butter on it, or plop baby carrots in chip dip.
Eliminate secondhand smoke. Aside from the obvious dangers of smoking, second-hand smoke for children could be deadly. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 toxins that can irritate or kill cells in the body. Because children breathe at a faster rate than adults, they are likely to inhale more smoke into their less developed detoxification system than an adult would. Children exposed to excessive smoke are more likely to develop asthma, ear infections and bronchitis. If quitting isn't an option, insist your spouse and guests smoke only outdoors and be sure your child isn't standing downwind from the smoke.
Keep it clean. If your child does get sick, immediately throw away their toothbrush, launder clothes, bottles, towels and linens. Toys can also be wiped down with a disinfectant wipe for extra safety. If it's a bacterial infection your child can continue to re-infect themselves and others in the family. Your child cannot catch a cold or flu virus twice, but friends and family can certainly be given the virus. 
