Germs in School: Protect Your Children From Cold, Flu

(NewsUSA) – How much school is missed as a result of colds and
the flu each year?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 22 million school
days are lost annually due to the common cold. In the 2003-2004 flu season, numerous outbreaks were
reported among school children, some leading to school closures, according to the American Lung
Association.

With all of the germs prevalent in heavily populated areas such as schools, it's
inevitable that your children will be exposed to colds and the flu. The following tips can help
your children prevent catching a cold or the flu and help lessen the symptoms if they just can't
avoid catching a bug.

*Teach good hygiene. Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently with soap
and warm water. The CDC suggests having your children sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice while
washing their hands, which takes about 15 to 20 seconds, the recommended amount of time that they
should wash them.

*Prevent a cold or the flu with a supplement. Knowing that school is a germ-infested
area, some experts recommend that children take a supplement like Cold & Flu with Zinc, part of the
"Spray" line of sublingual sprays, to help them prevent getting sick.

Cold & Flu with Zinc was developed by doctors to not only protect you from viruses, but
shorten the duration of a cold or the flu and help relieve symptoms, such as sinus congestion and
chills. This spray meets all Food and Drug Administration guidelines for good manufacturing
practices. For more information, visit www.thespray.com or
call (866) 412-7827.

*Teach cold and flu etiquette. If your children are sick, make sure they know to
cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. After this, they should wash
their hands so they don't spread their germs.

If your children have a fever, it is recommended by the CDC that they not go to school
until the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours.