Articles | Links | BGH Library

Help Your Child Avoid Winter Colds

There are some surefire ways to protect you young children from the perils of a bad Winter cold.

"Actually, avoiding the spread of colds is two parts common sense, one part determination," says Botsford pediatrician Tarek Garada, M.D.

"What we call the "common cold" is actually a contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and can be caused by a number of run-of-the-mill rhino viruses or coronaviruses. Couple your child's underdeveloped immune system with the variety of settings and people he or she comes in contact with on the average day, and there is the potential of coming down with several colds in any given season.

"One of the simplest - and most effective - ways of preventing the spread of colds is hand washing," he notes.

Garada suggest teaching a child to wash his or her hands thoroughly and vigorously (both front and back) with soap and under running water:

• after coming home from school
• before meals
• after using the bathroom
• after playing
• after spending time in public places, such as the mall.

Next >
Limiting Exposure & Good Hygiene