Need a refresher on how to deal with the flu this winter? Children's National has got you covered.
Preventing the flu
The best way to keep from getting sick from any kind of flu is to practice good hygiene:
Avoid people who are sick.
Wash hands frequently and properly. Use hot water and soap or waterless hand gels that contain alcohol.
If you are using hot water and soap, rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Tell your kids to sing Happy Birthday and wash their hands the entire time.
If you or your child is using hand gel, rub your hands together until the gel is gone.
Be careful to not let your children ingest the waterless hand gel.
At home, keep surfaces clean, like table tops, door knobs, and phones.
Use cleaners that have chlorine or ammonia in them.
To avoid flu illness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children older than 6 months get vaccinated for the seasonal flu.
If your child gets sick: What to expect
The flu makes most people feel sick all over. Common flu symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, dizziness, chills, and fatigue. Some also might have vomiting and diarrhea. Many people who get the flu can feel sick for five to seven days. Most children (and adults) get better with home treatment; they do not need to see the doctor or take special medicines.
If your child gets sick, follow these tips:
Keep your sick child home from school and other activities.
It's not easy, but try to keep your sick child away from siblings and others in your family so the illness does not spread.
Keep hands and surfaces clean.
Keep coughs and sneezes covered
Teach children to use tissues for sneezing and coughing.
If a tissue isn't available, teach them to sneeze or cough into their elbow, to keep germs off hands.
Teach children to use tissues for sneezing and coughing.
If a tissue isn't available, teach them to sneeze or cough into their elbow, to keep germs off hands.
Visit our Flu Resource Center for Flu Referral Guidelines, Flu Checklist for Parents and other downloadable information.
Introducing: Parent Letter Tuesdays
Inspiring letters and videos by parents of Children’s National patients are just a click away every Tuesday.
Navigating the halls of a hospital or facing the challenge
of having an ill child suffer from a health issue is a scary ordeal. Children’s
National values the experience of parents who have “been there and done that”
and through the Parent’s Letter Project,
parents can learn from others’ past experiences and arm themselves with the
knowledge to make it through this challenging process.
Follow Children’s National on Facebook and Twitter every Tuesday for a featured parent letter of the week. In addition to the
parent letters, parents now can watch videos on the Children’s National media center with an entire channel dedicated to the Parent’s
Letter Project! Watch as parents who have been there discuss their journey at
Children’s National Medical Center.
No parent should embark on this road alone.
Help Dr. Bear Bring Cheer to Patients This Holiday
Santa may have a sleigh, but Dr. Bear has a closet! Help fill Dr. Bear’s Closet with toys for patients in the hospital for the holiday.
Dr. Bear's Closet provides items to thousands of patients in Children's play rooms, waiting rooms, inpatient units, ambulances, the Emergency Department, Outpatient Centers, and the Health Centers. The Closet also provides personal care items, clothing, blankets, and other items for out-of-town families with patients being treated at Children's National.
If you choose to donate, please make sure your donations:
Are NEW (toys, stuffed animals, blankets, or clothes) to meet the hospital’s infection control requirements.
Meet consumer product safety codes – a toy's package will say if it meets the codes.
Include only non-toxic materials (toys or craft kits with glue or markers) – the package will say if it is.
We CANNOT accept:
Spark-producing toys due to fire regulations.
Regular Play-Doh. All Play-Doh must be gluten-free.
Latex (or rubber) balloons and materials because of latex allergy precautions and other safety factors.
Toys made of glass or brittle plastic.
Items with violent, frightening, or adult-rated themes.
Toys that can break or have sharp edges – toys should be sturdy.
Save the Date for the 2011 NBC 4 Health & Fitness Expo
Join Children's National Medical Center at the annual NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo at the Washington Convention Center.
Saturday, January 15
9am - 5pm
Sunday, January 16
9am - 5pm
Visit our booth to:
Learn about asthma, bone health, your child’s heart,
concussions, food allergies, injury prevention, sickle cell disease, and
other children's health topics.
Participate in children’s activities, such as taking milk
mustache photos, touring the Junior OR, having a finger casted, and
completing a fitness course.
Enroll children ages 4 to 12 in the Dr. Bear Club and get a Dr. Bear silly band..
Give blood on Children's Bloodmobile.
Learn how to become a volunteer.
Make Your Holiday Gift Go Twice as Far
Give health and hope to a child in the hospital.
The holidays are an especially tough time for kids to be in the
hospital. You can help us give health and hope to families in the
hospital right now.
With the generous support of donors this year, Children's National has
been able to ensure that every child in our community gets world-class
care, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Your gift will help
us prepare for the challenging work we will face in the new year.
And if you donate online this month, your gift will go twice as far. Our
friends at Food Lion have generously established a $300,000 Challenge
Fund to help our kids. Any gift you make before December 31 will be
matched dollar for dollar.
Read The Bear Necessities,
a newsletter delivered to the door of Dr. Bear®'s Club members twice a
year. Written for kids ages 4 to 12, it contains seasonal health tips,
quizzes, puzzles, games, and crafts.
Saturday, January 15 
