Most germs are spread through the air by sneezing, coughing, or even breathing. Germs can also spread in sweat, saliva, and blood. Some pass from person to person by touching something that is contaminated, like shaking hands with someone who has a cold and then touching your own nose. As germs surround children everywhere they need to take certain steps to minimize the spread of infection in their bodies.

Ensure That Your Child Gets a Dose of Friendly Bacteria

Not all bacteria are bad. Some bacteria are good for children’s bodies — they help keep things in balance. Good bacteria live in the intestines and help children use the nutrients in the food they eat and make waste from what's left over. Children can’t make the most of a healthy meal without these important helping germs! A baby’s digestive passageway receives its dose of bacteria from mother’s milk. An infant’s digestive passageway receives bacteria every single day from air and food. Traditionally, cultures throughout the world have been exposed to good bacteria through lacto-fermented foods e.g. yoghurt, cheese etc. An excellent source of friendly bacteria is healthy soil. Children are exposed to countless species of friendly bacteria when they are outdoors, playing.

How can Children be Protected against Harmful Germs?

Hygiene is a process by which children can stay away from harmful germs in order to stay healthy. Hygiene is defined as the science concerned with the prevention of illness and maintenance of health. It is important for children to know about personal hygiene. After all, a clean kid is a healthier kid and since children are in contact with illnesses both at home and school, teaching your children proper hygiene will help reduce the spread of harmful germs.

Hygiene covers certain basic processes of remaining clean and healthy. The following are some of the many ways that your children can remain healthy:

Personal Hygiene Practices for Children

Hand Washing
Hands are the primary carriers of disease infection. A simple handshake transfers 71% of the cold virus from the initiator to the recipient. Children should be made aware of the importance of hand washing.

Bathing
Physical activity, lack of fresh air and pollution gives life to germs, making children’s body a haven for germs. A daily shower is therefore a must for everyone. Make your child wash his/her hair at least once a week using mild shampoo massaging the scalp well and rinsing well with water. This will also prevent the formation of head lice and dandruff.

Oral Hygiene
Proper oral hygiene goes a long way in eliminating food particles stuck between teeth or the coating upon it, causing dental plaque and decay. Sugar and sweets especially encourage germ proliferation. You should thus reduce sugar intake of your children and make your child visit a dentist regularly. Children ought to brush their teeth twice a day – after breakfast and before going to bed.