Thursday, December 28, 2006

Viruses, Bacteria, and Germs . . . OH MY!!

This post is a bit different, but I thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit about germs. It is the time of year a lot of us get sick. It might be the flu, a stomach virus, or a cold, but they are all a bummer. I want to share a few ideas on how to get rid of germs and stop the illnesses from spreading.

Toothbrushes carry lots of germs. You brushed your teeth before bedtime and then in the middle of the night you start vomiting. Well, you probably already had those germs in your mouth when you brushed. Now they're on your toothbrush. Yuck! Yes, you can throw your toothbrush away and get a new one. But it is much easier to put it in the dishwasher or soak it in a cup of peroxide. It is a good idea to do this a few times while battling a cold.

Where do lots of germs hang out? Door handles, faucets, toilet flusher, and toys. It is so easy to take a can of Lysol and spray these areas periodically while an illness is in the house. When my kids are sick, I spray the faucets and toilets a couple times a day. I also spray the stair railings. Another place to spray is the pillows and sheets. As you all probably know, when you are sick you don't want to have to wash the sheets everyday. Obviously you will want to wash them once you are feeling better, but spraying a bit of Lysol will do a lot in between washings. You'll want to clean the bathroom once you're feeling better, but Lysol kills the germs as well as most cleaners, so always keep some handy.

Make sure you encourage hand washing, even if it is just plain soap and water. Carry a small bottle of antibacterial gel in your purse and/or car. Got little ones? Carry wipes in the car. They're great for everyone, but much easier to use then trying to wash baby's hands.

No, we probably won't escape some illness or another, but we can try to fight them. These few things can really make a difference. When my son got the stomach virus, no one else got sick. I sprayed things and kept him cleaned up. Yes, I tried to keep the other kids away from him, but that's easier said then done.

Have a wonderful winter and stay healthy!

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