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06 December 2011 12:13
Health
'Tis the season for flu
Parents are being urged to help their children fight winter bugs with good hygiene.
Geoff Barnes, acting director of public health for North Lincolnshire, said it is easy to “bust” bugs like flu and colds by reminding children about the importance of good hygiene.
“Children are very busy and touch many surfaces during the day and it’s important to remember that germs can transfer to every single one of these where they can live for hours before being picked up by someone else,” said Mr Barnes. “It’s important to remind them to wash their hands frequently and dry them properly.”
North East Lincolnshire Council and the Care Trust Plus are advising parents to teach their youngsters the simple routine of Catch It, Bin It, Kill it! Use a tissue to catch the sneeze, dispose of the tissue in the bin immediately then wash your hands in warm soapy water and dry them thoroughly.
It makes good sense to also frequently clean the surfaces your children touch in the home. This includes computer keyboards, remote controls, telephones, door handles, taps and banisters and viruses can easily be removed using antibacterial spray or wipes.
If your child is in an at-risk group for flu because of an existing medical condition such as asthma, kidney disease or diabetes etc, your GP surgery should have invited you to take them for a vaccination. If you haven’t already had this done or have any queries, please contact your surgery.
Councillor Mick Burnett, deputy leader and portfolio holder for health, well-being, culture and tourism said, “I had my flu jab a few weeks ago. Flu is unpleasant illness for most people but if you are like me and over 65 or if you suffer from a chronic condition or are pregnant it can be a much more serious disease.
“If you have had an invitation to have a flu jab from your GP, for yourself or your child, please don’t ignore it. Make your appointment as soon as possible to give yourself the best protection available.”
Even if you've had a flu jab in previous years, you still need to have one every year. This is because the viruses that cause flu are always changing and the vaccinations need to be changed accordingly to make sure they are effective against the seasonal flu that is doing the rounds.
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