Staying Healthy
It is always a great time to teach, model and practice good hand washing with your children. Try to make a game out of hand washing, helping your child notice all the parts of their hands and how they can lather up soap to cover all the amazing parts of their hands. The Center for Disease Control emphasizes that hand washing is the best way to stay healthy.

In addition to hand washing, the following are helpful for good general health:

1. Get plenty of sleep
2. Be physically active
3. Manage your stress
4. Drink plenty of fluids
5. Eat nutritious food
6. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus
7. Avoid close contact with people who are sick

The everyday steps that protect your health and lessen the spread of disease are the same actions that are recommended during more serious outbreaks of illness:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
5. If you get sick with influenza, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

For more information on healthy living, contact your health care provider. There is also useful health information at www.cdc.gov.