Protecting your kids from being exposed to germs isn’t always possible, let alone easy, and let’s face it, germs are literally everywhere. Microscopically small and able to disperse freely and easily, they are often found in larger numbers on items and surfaces that are touched frequently, such as door knobs and light switches. For children at school, for example, water fountains, pens, desks, and computer keyboards, to name but a few, are all breeding grounds for germs.
However, while you might not be able to protect your children from being exposed to every germ, there are a few ways to limit their exposure and keep them as happy and healthy as possible.
But first, let’s look at germs in a little more detail:
Bacteria: some bacteria are helpful to the body, but the majority can cause illnesses such as urinary tract infections, strep throat or cavities.
Viruses: typically hard to control, viruses can cause a number of illnesses ranging from colds and pox, to fever. Children, unfortunately, are the most vulnerable to viral infections.
Fungi: often producing skin problems in humans, fungi can grow on any wet surface and the most common fungal infections include athletes foot, skin diseases and mouth infections.
Protozoa: these single-celled organisms need moist conditions to thrive in, and most intestinal diseases are caused by this microscopic organism.
Ways to minimize your kids exposure to germs
Children often bring germs into the family home and cause every member of the household to become sick, but while this can’t always be avoided, there are some precautionary measures you can take to limit their exposure.
Firstly, proper hand washing is a must, and you should teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water before they eat, after using the restroom, after touching their eyes, nose or mouth, and after playing with communal items such as balls or toys. Make sure that they know to use warm water (where possible) and to lather their hands with soap before rubbing them together for around 45 seconds. Then, they should rinse their hands and dry them off with a paper towel.
Secondly, get your kids used to wiping things down with a disinfecting wipe – you can pop a packet of these into their backpack and encourage them to wipe such items as pencils and pens and locker handles, for example.
Getting your kids to understand how germs can be transmitted, and the impact germs can have not just on them, but on the entire family, is the first step to protecting them as much as you can from harmful germs.
Protecting your kids from germs may seem like an uphill struggle, but some small measures can be helpful, and above all else, it’s important not to become obsessed with hygiene when it comes to your kids. However, if you’re worried that your home may not be hygienically clean and could be harboring a whole host of harmful bacteria, request a deep clean from a professional cleaning company, or have them come in on a weekly basis to keep germs and your exposure to them, to a minimum.
