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Prevent spread of illness

With upcoming holiday parties and visiting, BC Children's Hospital and the BC Centre for Disease Control are offering tips to help reduce the risk of illness.

With upcoming holiday parties and visiting, BC Children's Hospital and the BC Centre for Disease Control are offering tips to help reduce the risk of illness.

Illnesses can be passed easily from one child to another, especially when the cold weather drives more children indoors and food is shared at gatherings.

There are simple ways to reduce this risk.. Get immunized: Although flu season is here, it's not too late to get immunized against influenza. Immunization is safe and saves lives. Make sure your child is on schedule to receive all of the vaccines available

through the provincial childhood immunization program.

. Wash hands: 80 per cent of common infections are spread by hands. Children should wash their hands before eating, after using the washroom, after sneezing, coughing or using a tissue, and after playing with toys shared with other children. They should use soap and water and rub for 20 seconds and then rinse them for another 10 seconds.

. Cover nose and mouth: Teach children to sneeze or cough into the crook of the arm rather than their hands.

. Stay home when sick: Children and the people who care for them should stay home when sick, especially if they have a fever. Don't visit grandparents or other elderly people if you or your child is sick.

. Avoid sharing: Encourage children not to share utensils, drinking cups and toys they put in their mouths. Teach children not to share items like hairbrushes, combs, hats, helmets, headphones, bedding, pillows or towels.