Once one family member contracts the flu virus, it can spread to everyone in the household. In preschool, young children can get exposed while playing with infected classmates and items they’ve touched. The contagious respiratory virus can transform into a bacterial infection or pneumonia. To keep your child healthy and out of the hospital during flu season, consider the following advice.

3 Ways to Stop Preschoolers from Getting the Flu

1. Teach Good Hygiene

Young children often cough without covering mouths and use little fingers to wipe snot from their runny noses. The flu virus transfers when these moisture droplets fall on objects or are breathed in by others close by. If your child picks up an infected toy and then touches their mouth, they can get sick, too. Tell them to wash their hands after playtime in preschool, and at home, you can show them how to lather the soap and rinse it off with water. 

2. Get a Flu Vaccine

Every family member should get a flu shot each year. As flu season generally lasts from October to May, it’s best to get the vaccination late in the fall to remain protected until spring. Kids must be at least six months old to get the vaccine. After the shot, it’s common to experience soreness at the injection site, which gradually subsides.

3. Know When It’s Time to Stay Home

Chills, headache, fever, and muscle aches are a few common flu symptoms. If your child has these symptoms, it’s best to keep them away from preschool. Not only could they spread the virus to others, the flu brings on dehydration and exhaustion. They should not return to preschool until they’ve not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication.

The preschool teachers at Lucky Lane Nursery School take every precaution to keep students safe while in their care. That’s one reason families in Saint Louis, MO, have been comfortable sending their little ones to the fully-licensed learning center since its opening in 1951. To learn more about enrollment options, call (314) 434-4462 and find program details online.