Child care center illness prevention

Flu Season Warning for Young Children

During flu season, public health officials warn that children can be hit harder than adults—and the flu can even be deadly for young kids. A KCU 9 reporter visited a local daycare facility that says it is taking extra steps to reduce the spread of illness in an environment where children play, eat, and put items in their mouths, especially during the peak months of January and February.

Daycare Prevention Efforts

The daycare’s prevention efforts include:

• Regular sanitizing of toys and surfaces, since germs can spread through saliva and shared items.
• Disinfecting high-touch areas throughout the day (e.g., tables in common areas), with staff cleaning and spraying down surfaces after use.
• Teaching and reinforcing illness-prevention habits with young children, such as covering coughs and practicing proper behaviors.
• Emphasizing hand-washing as the “key” measure to prevent illness spread.
• Coordinating with parents by encouraging them to keep sick children at home to maintain routine and protect other kids—especially younger infants who may be more vulnerable.

Flu Warning Signs

The report lists the following flu warning signs:

• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Refusing to drink fluids

Presenters / Contributors

• KCU 9 reporter (Asian Nestles)
• Tasia Bridget (Iowa Department of Public Health)
• Staff/representatives from the daycare center (Building Blocks)