Germs and Your Family

How to prevent them during peak season

By Dr. Larry Nickens, Goldsboro Pediatrics

We all know by now that things such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and germs flourish in warm, moist climates. That is why the summer months are peak season for germs! They can live anywhere imaginable and almost always in the places that kids like to go to the best. You may not always be able to protect your child from everything, but there are lots of preventable measures that can and should be taken to prevent illness form germs.

The term "germs" refers to the microscopic bacteria and viruses that can cause sickness and disease. You can help to keep your child healthy by learning about the different types of germs and learn how to keep them from interfering with your life during the summer months.

• Bacteria - Tiny, single celled organisms that thrive through their environments, which more often than not is your child’s body. Not all bacteria are bad. They help keep the digestive track working properly but too much can cause harm or illness to your child.
• Viruses - Viruses can only survive and grow on living things. They can live on sinks, countertops and toilet seats for only a short period of time unless a live host comes along, like your child. They spread quickly once inside the body and can make you or your child very sick. They can cause minor sicknesses such as colds, as well as more serious diseases such as smallpox.
• Fungi - Plant like organisms that are not usually dangerous to a healthy person. A fungus gets nutrition and grows in warm damp environments, for example the bathroom at your neighborhood pool. The most common forms of fungal infections found in children are athlete’s foot. Your child is more likely to get fungal infections around the swimming pool with other children or in a public bathroom.
• Protozoa - Similar to bacteria, they love moisture and are most likely to cause intestinal bacteria through contaminated or dirty water. Make sure your children are not swallowing any of that lake water they are swimming in this summer. It can make for one very unpleasant summer vacation.

Germs such as the ones listed above can be transmitted and spread in several different ways, especially by touching dirty hands. Simply touching their eyes or putting their hands in their mouth can unknowingly infect children. Some other ways germs spread can include:

• Contaminated water and food
• Droplets released during a sneeze or a cough
• Contaminated surfaces
• Contact with a sick person’s body fluids.

There are many ways germs spread, but there are countless ways you can prevent them. Here are a few of the basics:

Wash, Wash, Wash your hands. There couldn’t be an easier more effective way of preventing sickness. Before you eat, after you eat, after using the bathroom, there is simply no time you shouldn’t wash your hands. Have you child sing “Happy Birthday” twice to keep them washing their hands for the correct amount of time.

Did you know?
One in three people DO NOT wash their hands after using the bathroom

• Cover a cough or sneeze. According to the JFK Health World Museum, on average a sneeze can travel as fast as 100 miles per hour through the air. With this being one of the fastest ways to spread germs make sure your child knows that it’s best to sneeze or cough into a tissue or their elbow. Avoiding coughing and sneezing into their hands will help stop the spread of germs. Children touch more with their hands than their elbows. If sneezing or coughing into their hand is the only option make sure they wash their hands immediately afterwards.
• Avoid sending your child to school when he/she is sick. As much as you do not want your child to get sick, you should want to prevent other children from getting sick. Encourage people to keep their distance to minimize the spread of illness. After all, you hope that others will extend the same courtesy to your family.
• Spring and summer are a great time to play and enjoy the outdoors. Help ensure that your family will be healthy and as germ free as possible by following the suggestions in this article.

About Goldsboro Pediatrics
Goldsboro Pediatrics’ goal is to optimize the growth and development of children to ensure their success as healthy, happy and productive adults in tomorrow’s society. Physician offices are located in Goldsboro, Mt. Olive, Princeton and La Grange. For further information, please visit www.goldsboropediatrics.com.