A School Nurse’s Tricks to Avoid Getting Sick
By Cindy Staggs, R.N.
During peak cold and flu season -- November through February -- I see as many as 70 sick kids in one day. With all of those runny noses, you might think I’m constantly coughing and sneezing too. But I’ve learned a few things about fighting off viruses during my 24 years as a school nurse, which I want to share with you! So whether you’re surrounded by a classroom full of kids or just want to keep your own family healthy, use my moves to avoid getting sick -- and stay sniffle-free this season.
Join the clean-hands club. Scrubbing up is the single most important thing you can do to stay healthy. And a quick rinse doesn’t cut it: You need to lather the soap and scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and beneath your nails for at least 20 seconds -- the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
Think before you touch. Cold and flu viruses can survive outside of the body for up to 48 hours. So if someone sneezes on their hands and grabs a door handle a few hours before you do, you’re at risk of catching that virus. That’s why I try to steer clear of public water fountains and stair railings, and I always use a hand sanitizer after using a door handle. I also never use anyone’s pen except my own, and have a separate phone that students can use in my office.
Teach proper tissue protocol. Used tissues should be thrown away immediately. Of course, my husband and two sons sometimes leave their tissues lying around (my pet peeve!). Since touching them with your fingers can spread germs, I grab them with a clean tissue and then wash my hands immediately.
Take a time-out. Like most women, I have a busy schedule with my job and kids. Sometimes it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day! But it’s important to take the time to eat right (plenty of fruits and vegetables), drink water (at least eight glasses a day), and log enough sleep every night to stay healthy. If I start to feel like I’m coming down with something, I make taking care of myself a top priority -- no matter how swamped I am. After all, it’s better to cancel an obligation to get a little more rest one night than to get wiped out for days!
Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com/Antagain
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Post a CommentI always got sick as a kid. I would say i get sick once on a bad year.
Has anyone ever thought that you NEED tp get a good cold once in a while?? I am a nurse and Mother of three... My 1st two kids were SOOOO sick at ages 2 and 3 from october to March.... they are now 8 and 10 ( the baby is now 6) they haven't been sick since! I'ts called BUILDING IMMUNITY.... can't live in a bubble people!!!
Most veteran teachers, nurses, and daycare workers who are constantly exposed to cold/flu germs build up an immunity, which is why they get sick less than most people. Thats also the reason why people in general catch fewer and fewer colds as they get older. As for the lady who thinks wearing mens' undershirts prevents colds, please know that the ONLY way you get a cold or flu is when a cold/flu germ enters your body through the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. So while wearing your undershirts may keep you warm, they do not keep you germ free.
As long as my kids were in school... I got colds. When I worked in the medical field... I got colds. Then I reached my mid 40's... Stopped getting colds. Haven't had one in 6 or 7 years. Including being exposed to the flu. I believe this is due to having already been exposed to most of what goes around. If this Nurse has been around kids for 24years... I am sure it is that she has been exposed to most of it! Sorry girl, you have just run out of germs!
Mostly very good advice, Cindy, but the 8 glasses of water a day is an old wives tale that has been widely discredited and should not be spread around like a bad cold. In fact, in some people, 8 glasses a day would lead to hyponatremia (too much water). Check out "Eight glasses" and snopes.com for discussion. Better advice is to drink enough water so one's pee is a pale straw color. Bright yellow urine can be a sign of dehydration.
After 24 years you have probably been exposed to most of the cold and flu viruses around. I suspect it is your body's exposure and subsequent immunity that is helping ward off the colds - your listed practices should help. My sister-in-law ran a day care for many years, and had colds for the first couple of years. Now she never gets sick, but one of the things she tells new employees is that they should expect to catch colds all the time...
So, your husband is a pig and you raised two boys as slobs. You're mother and wife of the year.
None of these steps helps if someone coughs or sneezes in your vicinity. Viruses are spread by aerosols as well as on surfaces. I speak as a virologist.
Excellent ideas. You need sleep and rest to keep your immune system working.
My last cold was in 1993 and lasted for 4 months. I vowed that it was my last cold. I remembered something that my mother taught me as a child and I also remembered that as the only girl with 5 brothers, I was never sick while my brothers had colds, flu, etc. She made me wear a fleece lined vest all winter with garters to hold up my brown ribbed stockings. I read many years later that the secret to avoid colds was to keep your chest covered, so I bought several men's white T-shirts(colour doesn't matter of course) and I wear them constantly from September to May and have never had a cold since. I take moderate precautions but I am certainly not OCD except when it comes to the T-shirts.
Sniffle Tips & Tidbits
Place a few drops of eucalyptus oil into a steamy bath to breathe in relief: A German study found that using cineol (eucalyptus oil) supplements markedly improved symptoms of the cold, including nasal congestion, headache and overall discomfort.
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