Wow, cold and flu season hit our family hard this year; in fact, I think it really hit many families across the country. It seemed that we’d get through one cold, just to lapse back into it or get even worse. The kids were especially run through the mill, Jaden with a double ear infection. We spent a couple of very sleepless nights just trying to make sure his fever didn’t get too high, as it was climbing high enough that we were very concerned. Spring is on the way, but it seems many people are still dealing with the last remnants of this awful cold and flu season.

Here are a few tips that might help you if your kids come down with the dreaded bug. (Please keep in mind that you should consult your doctor; my tips are in no way medical endorsements. Only a physician can give sound medical advice.)

1. Make sure your pantry is well-stocked before the flu ever hits your home. Stock things like chicken noodle soup (or bullion), ginger ale, crackers, hot tea, etc. You might even want to have things like popsicles or frozen yogurts on hand.
2. Also, make sure your medicine cabinet has the proper medicines for each age in your household….and that your meds are not expired. I recently went through my medicine cabinet and was shocked at how many expired meds there were. Vicks actually carries medicines like Dayquil and Nyquil Cold & Flu to help ease your symptoms. Dan actually uses Nyquil quite a bit when he gets sick. It makes him a bit jittery at first, but once it really kicks in, he’s able to sleep and sleep soundly. I prefer Dayquil (in pill form), as it doesn’t make me drowsy, but it still works to ease aches, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, and even cough. Also, make sure you have the proper medications for your children. You might need more than one form of fever reducer/pain reliever (both acetaminophen and ibuprofen) as well as cough syrup and whatever your doctor recommends. Trust me, if your medicine cabinet is stocked, you’ll be ready and able to handle any germy bugs that come your way.
3. If you or your kids are congested, Vicks VapoRub is a sure way to help ease some of that congestion; I speak from personal experience with this product. Most people like to rub the VapoRub on the chest/neck area, as well as around the nose to help aid in breathing. There are actually other ways to use it, as well, that we’ve found very helpful. My mother used to put a bit of Vicks in our vaporizer; she would also put Vicks in a pot of steaming water and have us sit over that pot with a towel over our heads. Vicks VapoRub is a powerful tool to have on hand when you’re sick because it works and works well.
4. Vicks VapoDrops are also a great way to relieve that cough, especially when you’re out and about and can’t necessarily get relief any other way. They’re a menthol cough suppressant, as well as oral anesthetic, so they’re helpful with both a cough and a sore throat. They come in both menthol and cherry flavors.
5. When sick be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Try to stay away from carbonated soda that only serves to dehydrate you even further. Ginger ale is carbonated but is calming to the tummy; water is also necessary to help flush out the toxins in your body. Popsicles are a great way for kids to get their intake of fluids, especially when they have a sore throat and everything hurts. You would think that orange juice would be helpful with a cold, but it can actually cause congestion to be even worse….so stick with clear fluids until the worst is over.
6. Watch your temperature. It’s important to make sure that temperature doesn’t go too high, as high fevers are known to cause both seizures and brain damage. This is my personal take on a fever….and please consult your doctor….but I believe in letting a low-grade fever run its course. While in nursing school, I learned so many things, and one thing I remember well. Your body produces that fever to help rid your body of whatever is causing it harm. That fever is in the fight against the very germ that has made you or your children ill. It’s a good idea to let that fever go….unless it gets too high. Vicks suggests that 101.3 is high; I tend to not worry until the fever gets to between 102-103….but again, please consult your doctor in treating yourself or your child. Vicks has a wonderful line of thermometers, and one is the ComfortFlex Thermometer. This thermometer is digital and has a large color changing display that lets you know when the fever is too high. The tip is soft and flexible, meaning your kids won’t break it with their teeth. The reading comes across in 8 seconds, which is so wonderful as a mom of littles. It also has memory recall, which is nice when you might be keeping a diary of temps. The storage case helps to protect it when not in use. I highly recommend this thermometer as it’s reliable and comes with a lifetime warranty.
7. When you’re sick, take care of yourself, and rest. If your kids are sick, just make them feel loved. Don’t be afraid to dote on your kids when they’re sick; they need that human touch, that loving hand of support to help their bodies physically heal. Take the opportunity to rest yourself, and hold them for awhile. Have fuzzy blankets they can crawl under….maybe get movies for them to watch. It’s even a great idea to keep a sort of “sick basket” on hand with things to keep them entertained when they’re sick and need to rest. Keep it filled with coloring books, sticker books, stories, CDs, movies, etc. You might even have a doll who’s “sick” that they can help to treat or take care of. Only bring that basket out when they’re sick; that way it’ll always be new for them.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Maybe a friend from church could make a pot of soup, so you can rest. Help is such a simple 4-letter word but sometimes so hard to say.
9. Once you’re through the major portion of the sickness, it’s important to get up and move. Rest is important, as well, but if you’re not moving enough, that paves the way for pneumonia to set in….and that’s just one complication we all want to avoid.
10. Lastly, if you or your kids are sick, stay home! Keep your kids at home; don’t send them to school or put them in daycare. That’s just one more way to spread the germs to other families who, frankly, don’t need them. Good handwashing is a must! Teach your kids from a very early age, so it will become habit for them.

All in all, we’re in the home stretch of this cold and flu season….at least, I hope we are.:) Maybe you have something you do for your kids when they’re sick….or maybe you have a tried and true remedy; be sure to comment and share.

The great news is that we’re offering a Vicks care package of products for giveaway! You can enter to win by doing one or more of the following; just be sure to leave a separate comment for each way that you enter. I’ll draw the winner, via random.org, on Friday, March 25. This giveaway is open to U.S. only. Good luck, and have a wonderful day!

1. Like Vicks VapoRub on Facebook. This page is full of tips on keeping your family healthy, as well as family-friendly tips for dealing with the dreaded cold and cough. You can even discuss and post your own helpful insights.
2. Leave a comment, letting us all know how you treat a cold or cough in your home.
3. Also, leave a comment on the Vicks VapoRub Facebook page.
4. Follow MamaBuzz or subscribe to our posts.
5. Follow @mamabzz on Twitter.
6. Tweet about this giveaway; you can tweet daily to earn extra entries.
7. Like MamaBuzz on Facebook.
8. Blog about this giveaway, being sure to link back to MamaBuzz.

(Disclosure: I received a package of Vicks products, free of charge, from Vicks, for the purposes of a review/giveaway post. All views/opinions are solely my own. Please consult your doctor before proceeding with any form of treatment.)