Winter can be the time of severe flu and respiratory virus seasons. Children, in particular, can get sick with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Respiratory viruses can spread through droplets in the air when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks near you.  When we touch people who are sick or touch dirty surfaces, we contaminate our hands with germs. We can then infect ourselves with those germs by touching our faces. Learn how you can limit the spread of infections and keep your kids healthy this winter.  

Teach good hand hygiene 

• Keeping your hands clean is the number one way to prevent the spread of infection. Lead by example and teach children to clean their hands after using the bathroom; after sneezing, blowing their nose, or coughing; before eating; after playing outdoors; when visiting someone who is sick; or whenever their hands are dirty. 
• Pack handwipes in lunch boxes so kids can easily clean their hands before eating. 
• If your child attends daycare, look to see if there are enough sinks and hand sanitizer throughout the center and near the diaper changing areas. Notice if there are separate sinks for food preparation and toileting and if hand hygiene information is posted throughout the facility. If not, speak up. 

Practice respiratory etiquette 

• Germs spread easily through the mucous membranes. Encourage children to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth. 
• Teach kids to do the vampire cough: Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and clean your hands immediately afterward.  
• Avoid being close to people who are coughing and sneezing. 

Stay home 

• Keep children home from school or daycare if they are running a fever.  
• Check in with other parents before birthday parties and playdates. 
• Limit contact with sick individuals as much as possible. 

Keep it clean 

• RSV can live on the hands for up to 30 minutes but can survive for several hours on surfaces. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like remote controls, light switches, computers, keyboards, door handles, and faucets, etc., on a regular basis. 
• Use a bleach solution made with 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room temperature water to clean surfaces such as countertops, sinks, toilets, and bathroom floors.   
• Clean the toys of young children regularly with cleaning wipes, commercially prepared disinfectants, or a bleach solution. Some plastic toys can also be cleaned in the top rack of the dishwasher. 

Get them vaccinated 

• Getting a flu shot each year is the best way to prevent the flu and to protect those around you. An annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.  
• Make sure you and your family members are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. Visit the CDC website to learn more.
• Stay current on all your child’s vaccinations. Contact your child’s healthcare provider or visit the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases website to see a full schedule of recommended childhood immunizations.  

Extra precautions 

• Take rapid COVID-19 tests if you suspect you may have COVID-19 or if you or other household members have been exposed to COVID-19. 
• Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of COVID-19.  

  Resources 

CDC: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). Last Reviewed August 4, 2023.

CDC: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Updated October 4, 2023. 

CDC: Cleaning with and disinfecting with bleach. Reviewed October 31, 2022 

CDC: Symptoms of COVID-19. Updated October 26, 2022. 

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases: US Vaccination Recommendations. Updated for 2023. 

Updated: 10/13/23