Fall is here and so is the spike of children catching a cold or the flu.
We talked with a Kalispell doctor who says she's seen a rise in patients with the flu and colds this fall, and she attributes the rise of illness to a couple of factors.
When children go to back to school, the concentrated germs they’re introduced to rises significantly and spending more time indoors during the school year also increases the likelihood of getting sick.
Without fresh air and circulation, germs stay in the classrooms and on the kids. Dr. Lynn Dykstra has some advice on what kids and their parents can do to prevent illness from spreading.
“Hand washing or using a hand sanitizer regularly is the most important thing that we can do,” Dr. Dykstra said. “And along with that, I always try and remind kids not to put their hands to their face because that the way germs get spread."
Additionally, Dr. Dykstra recommends parents to vaccinate their children. She also says to make sure your child has a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables.
