Health And Safety, Ages 2 To 5 Years: Healthy Habits For Preventing Infection And Illness

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Healthy Habits for Preventing Infection and Illness

Handling food safely, practicing basic hygiene to prevent communicable diseases, and getting regular physical exams and immunizations are all healthy habits that help protect your child against illness and infection.

Safe food preparation and precautions

Thorough cleaning and food preparation helps keep you and your child from getting food-borne illnesses. Do your best to ensure that the restaurants where you eat also handle food safely.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends the following steps to prevent food poisoning:

• Prepare foods safely. Because germs spread easily on surfaces that many people use or touch, it is important to wash your hands frequently and keep surfaces clean.
• Shop safely. Raw meats, seafood, and eggs can contaminate other foods they touch. Keep these items wrapped in plastic and away from fresh foods in your shopping cart.
• Cook foods safely. Meats and foods that have been in contact with raw meat need to be cooked thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria. The specific temperature varies by type of food.
• Store foods safely. Keep food temperatures at safe levels to prevent bacterial growth that can cause illness. For example, perishable foods should be refrigerated promptly, not left out on the counter.
• Follow labels on food packaging. Look for expiration dates on perishable foods before you buy or eat them. Also, follow cooking guidelines that are provided, such as temperature and cooking time.
• Serve foods safely. Keep hot foods hot— or above—and cold foods cold— or below. If you are not sure if a food is safe to eat, throw it out.

For more information, see the topic Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling.

Protect against the spread of illness

Although colds and flu are more common in the colder months, they can occur any time of year. Take extra precautions to help protect your child against these and other viral and bacterial infections.

• Be aware of higher risk of germs in public areas. Avoid exposing your child to a large crowd if he or she has been ill recently or has an otherwise weakened immune system, especially when a contagious illness is going around. Also, it may be helpful to have a hand sanitizer and disposable wipes on hand to clean hands and to wipe off shopping carts or other shared items in public places.
• Avoid close contact with others who are sick. Keep your child away from others who are obviously ill. Also, if your child is ill, avoid contact with other children until the contagious period is over. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure about how long your child is likely to be contagious.
• Wash your hands frequently. Keeping your hands clean is an obvious but often overlooked means of preventing the spread of germs.
• Wash and disinfect surfaces and toys. Areas where germs collect, such as the kitchen and bathroom, should be kept clean and frequently disinfected.
• Teach children to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, preferably using a tissue so that germs do not get on their hands. Also show them how to use tissues to wipe their noses.
• Consider getting your child immunized against the flu. It's recommended once a year for:
  • All children 6 months through 18 years of age. (Children 9 years of age and younger who are getting the shot for the first time should get 2 doses, given at least one month apart.)
  • Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth to 5 years of age and of others who are at high risk for complications from the flu.

Healthy people ages 2 through 49 years can usually get the nasal spray vaccine (FluMist). (What is a PDF document?) Pregnant women can get the flu shot (What is a PDF document?) but not FluMist. For the latest flu vaccine guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), go to www.cdc.gov/flu. Also, for more information, see the topic Influenza.

Visit the doctor regularly

Make sure you regularly schedule well child appointments. During these visits, a health professional:

• Gives your child a general physical examination.
• Gives or schedules vaccinations, also called immunizations. These provide important protection for your child against harmful disease. The standard immunization schedule outlines the recommended vaccinations and the ages at which they should be given. For more information, see the topic Immunizations.
• Asks you questions about your child's health and development and whether you have any concerns.

Last updated:	January 05, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC