Some Tips for a Healthy Winter

Be sure to have your child and yourselves vaccinated against the FLU. It is not too late to do it now. If your child is diagnosed with the flu, be sure to notify the Safe Arrival line [(978)266-2555] and/or Mrs. Chudik and myself. Strep throat is also an illness that you are to notify us of because of it’s communicability. 

     During winter months home, office, and school air can be very dry. Due to the dryness, some students are more prone to nosebleeds and chapped lips. Also it is possible that with cracked mucous membranes, virus’ can more readily enter the body leading to illness. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, is helpful. Using lip balm to prevent and treat chapped lips is very helpful. Your child can have a lip balm to leave in their backpack with the understanding that it is not to be shared. When children lick their lips to moisten them, they are actually increasing the chance of chapping the lips. Two other measures that are beneficial to counteract and treat nasal dryness are the use of saline nasal mists or sprays as well as using a nasal saline gel or ointment. Humidifiers at home can be beneficial as well. The difficulty of managing a humidifier is being sure they are kept clean.

     Frequent hand-washing is the number one measure to prevent illness. Coughing or sneezing into the bend of your elbow or a tissue is an important measures to help prevent the spread of illness. Eating well and getting adequate rest are all part of the package for wellness. 

     Finally, I would like to strongly encourage you to help your child remember to brush their teeth before school and at bedtime. This is an important life skill.

Resilience is a key skill for children to learn.

Heather Makris,  BSN RN NCSN