The whole family catches a cold: can it be avoided?

Since my son has been with the childminder, I can hardly count the infections that we have gone through as a family. Because the rule of thumb seems to be ironclad: Whatever pathogens the little offspring brings home with them will almost certainly first infect me and then his dad. But stop!

Does a sick child always mean that the whole family will catch a cold?

A few weeks ago we were in the luxurious intermediate phase: Infect 96 had just been overcome and Infect 97 had not yet appeared. Moms are real fighters, aren’t they? So, I tried to prepare myself to break the cycle of contagion. Because what good is a sniffling, limp mommy to my son? Not to mention the self-pitying dad? My own extended family, numerous mom friends, the pediatrician and the dear internet were not stingy with advice. I took notes diligently. At the beginning of last week the time had come, the emergency occurred. The mini man got a fever in the evening and the next morning the doctor confirmed the suspicion that he had caught a flu. But this time I was prepared.

What can be done about the family cold?

My “protective measures” for you at a glance:

1. Hygiene and small, sick children are sometimes difficult to reconcile. But washing your hands thoroughly is the be-all and end-all. This applies to your child, but also to you. You should take this to heart, especially after changing diapers, wiping away tears or cleaning your snotty nose.
2. Used handkerchiefs are a real bacteria party. It is best to dispose of them immediately. Also, always remember that you and your child do not use the same handkerchief. In the heat of the moment, this is quickly forgotten.
3. With older children, it makes sense to show them how to blow their nose with a tissue. If you have a coughing fit, it is best to cough into the crook of your arm.
4. Be careful not to put your hands on your face. Because they are the perfect means of transport for pathogens.
5. Regularly clean doorknobs and other surfaces that you touch frequently. Hot water with a dash of detergent is completely sufficient for this.
6. Avoiding close physical contact with your child is also a common tip. But every mom knows that something like that can’t be implemented. However, it makes sense for one parent to look after the sick child and the other to keep their distance. In bad cases, to be on the safe side, sleep in separate rooms.
7. Try to air several times a day. Exercise in the fresh air is not only good for you, it also strengthens your immune system.
8. Provide extra humidification. This can be wet towels that you put over the radiator or a special humidifier.
9. A healthy and balanced diet is the basis for a functioning immune system.
10. Treat yourself to rest periods and enough sleep. I deliberately put this tip at the end of my list. Because with a sick child, these two things are definitely neglected. But remember to take care of yourself too.

The truth is in the details

Now the open question remains at the end: Could I use these tips to prevent myself from being infected by my son? The answer is yes. However, the “but” follows afterwards. My body was able to fight off infection 97 successfully. But what was that really about? Honestly I don’t know. Maybe it was the many protective measures that I seriously took to heart. Perhaps my body already “knew” this virus strain? Maybe it was just luck this time?

According to statistics, every child of preschool age goes through an average of ten infections a year. Numbers don’t lie. I’m almost certain that some nasty viruses and insidious bacteria are just waiting to turn our entire family into a hospital.

In our magazine we have some tips for you on how your family does not lose their calm in the face of hand, foot and mouth disease, measles and  the like and you know what to do!