Cold & Flu Season Survival Tips

by Dr. Katie Friedman, Board-Certified Pediatrician

We’re about to enter that time of year again: cold and flu season! The Fall and Winter months are one of the busiest times of year for pediatricians, as we see a huge peak in influenza (the flu) and other viruses. As we start to head deeper into cold and flu season, the waiting rooms have become more crowded and the wait times are starting to lengthen. The persistent fever and dreadful symptoms leave parents feeling frustrated and helpless.

Although there is no way to completely protect your child from getting sick, there are certain steps that can be taken to significantly decrease the chances. If your child does come down with an illness, it’s just as important to be well prepared, have a game plan, and have all the important supplies on hand.

Make sure you have your cold & flu kit ready to go

Take a look around your home and see if you have everything you need on hand to weather cold and flu season. If not, head to the store and stock up your medicine cabinet with all the necessities! Keeping your child comfortable and pain-free is most important. Make sure to stock your medicine cabinet and have over-the-counter (OTC) medications and cough or cold medicines on hand before sickness strikes.

One essential item every household should have on hand is acetaminophen, a well-known medication for reducing fever and alleviating pain. As a pediatrician, I often recommend Mommy’s Bliss to my patients, a brand I have trusted for years. Their new Infants’ and Children’s Pain & Fever medicines are not only effective but are also free from dyes, alcohol, parabens, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and high-fructose corn syrup. In fact, they are the first-ever acetaminophen products to receive Clean Label Project certification which is an impressive achievement.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications contain artificial additives, which can be concerning for parents looking for cleaner options. That’s why I confidently recommend Mommy’s Bliss acetaminophen—it provides safe, reliable relief from pain and fever without those unnecessary ingredients.

Other items to stock up on are hand sanitizer, tissues, cleaning wipes, first aid kits, antihistamines, cough remedies, thermometer, Ibuprofen, antibiotic ointments, humidifier, nasal spray, and bandages.

Another great tip is to keep a wellness kit in the car, especially when you’re on the go with little ones. A well-stocked kit can make all the difference in handling minor issues quickly and on the go. Include essentials like tissues, hand sanitizer, cough drops, and acetaminophen, for any sudden discomfort. If you can, adding a thermometer is helpful for monitoring fevers.

Antibacterial wipes are also great for those times when hand washing isn’t an option, particularly after touching public surfaces like door handles or railings—this is especially important during cold and flu season!

Appropriate dosing

When you bring your child to the pediatrician for their annual checkup, ask the nurse or doctor to calculate the right dose of acetaminophen for your child according to their weight. Only use the dosing device that comes with the medicine to ensure proper dosing. Never ever use a kitchen spoon. Remember to dose your child based on their weight, not their age.

Have a game plan before your trip to the doctor’s office

The pediatrician’s office is one of the most dangerous places when it comes to exposure to viruses and bacteria. You can very easily end up getting sick (or even more sick!) at the pediatrician’s office.

Most parents are there for the same reason as you, to have their child evaluated for an illness or for an annual check-up.

So here are some great tips on how to be prepared to prevent exposure to illness and avoid getting sick (or sicker) at the pediatrician’s office.

1. Make early morning appointments - before all the germs of the day come in!
2. Avoid the sick area - if you can keep your well kids separated in an area designated for well kids, do it!
3. Call in the troops - better yet, if you can at all avoid taking well kids to the doctor with your sick kid, do it!
4. Stay away from the water fountain - no explanation needed!
5. Bring a stroller - to keep little hands contained and away from all the germy toys and books!
6. Bring your own supplies- carry antibacterial wipes with you to disinfect things, as needed!

Always practice good hygiene

It sounds simple and common sense, but washing your hands, and ensuring your kids wash theirs, is instrumental in stopping the spread of viruses at school and in your home.

Good hand-washing habits start at home. Wash your hands often and with soap, and make sure the kids do, too! They need to understand the importance of clean hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after arriving home from school, especially when anyone in the home is sick.

Make sure you also teach your children the importance of covering their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze to help keep germs from spreading.

Sometimes no matter how hard we try, we can’t avoid the flu train from wreaking havoc on the family. Establishing healthy eating habits, good hygiene, and being prepared with an at-home cold and flu kit are all so important to getting through this cold and flu season.