With our kids back in school, the leaves beginning to change, and a crispness in the air, it can only mean one thing to us pediatricians, cold and flu season is here! Sure, we could be spending our time cozying up by the fire, sipping multiple pumpkin spice lattes, and picking out our favorite fluffy scarf — but as Orange County’s most trusted pediatric group, Ocean Pediatrics, we’d rather spend our time trying to limit the impact of the sick season.

Now, since we can’t actually prevent our children from ever getting sick — nor would we, as it’s an essential part of building their immune systems — we do want to limit the spread of germs when our children do catch a case of the sniffles. Because we don’t wish to spread it to other family members, who can then spread it to coworkers and neighbors, who could possibly spread it to those who are immune compromised.

So, if your child is feeling a bit under the weather, here are our tips for containing those pesky germs, and limiting their spread throughout the community.

Keep calm and clean on

The first line of defense you’ll always want to rely on, in the fight against cold and flu season, is washing those hands! When your child gets sick, it’s vital to make sure that everyone, especially the sick kid, is washing their hands regularly. And when they do, make sure they wash with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. A good rule of thumb is to sing the ABCs while washing hands. It’s also important to make sure they know how to scrub their fingers, palms, as well as the outside of their hands, too.

Secondly, it’s also key to keep all surfaces as clean as you possibly can. Pay special attention to sanitizing door knobs, sinks, and kitchen appliances. If your child happens to have a spell of vomiting or diarrhea (poor thing!), make sure to thoroughly clean your bathrooms as well.

Limit contact (as much as you can)

Now, we’re not asking you to full-on quarantine from your little one, of course not. However, when they are in the throes of illness, it might be a good idea for family members to be aware of this fact, and keep their distance somewhat. This could mean keeping siblings from playing too closely with the sick child and immediately clear their dishes when they’ve finished eating. When you’re reading them bedtime stories or giving them a nightly hug, we recommend taking simple precautions like turning your head away when they cough, or kissing them on the top of the head (rather than their cheeks) to help prevent germs from spreading.

Sharing is caring, but not right now

Although we as parents are constantly trying to get our kids to share with their friends, siblings and extended family, now’s not really the time for that. Be sure to keep kids from sharing things like utensils, cups, bowls, towels and clothing.

And there’s no need to make the child feel alienated or distanced from others during this time. Instead, you can tell them that while they’re sick, they get special privileges and get to play with toys on their own. Mention that this non-sharing nirvana is only temporary, though.

Health is wealth

We all know how to be healthy — things like eating your vegetables, getting out in the sun, exercising regularly and getting as much sleep as we need are all long-understood pieces of wisdom. But it just so happens that these healthy habits are also great for boosting our immune systems.

So, when we have a sick child, it’s important to get everyone in the household to pay special attention to these immunity-boosting behaviors. If you and your family are all living a healthy lifestyle, the chances of catching a cold or flu will be reduced. And the opposite is also true. If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, constantly stressed out, eating poorly and not getting enough nutritious foods — your chances of catching something increase.

Pump up the immunity

Another way to stop the spread of cold and flu symptoms is to double up on immune-boosting foods. Here’s a quick list of some of the heavy hitters:

• Vitamin C: found in citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables
• Beta Carotene: found in root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carro
• Vitamin E: obtained from nuts, seeds and greens
• Antioxidants: green tea and most fruits are a great source
• Vitamin D: found in fish and eggs, as well as from getting sun exposure
• Probiotics: found in fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha, kimchi and tempeh
• Garlic: great for boosting virus-fighting T-cells

We hope our list of practical ways to limit germs during cold and flu season helps your entire family make it through the rest of the year feeling your best. And if you ever need some friendly medical attention, be sure to reach out to the sweetest bunch of caregivers in the OC, Ocean Pediatrics. Our highly qualified and compassionate staff are always ready to answer your questions, alleviate your little one’s discomfort, and treat your family with care for years to come.