Spring is Mini-Flu Season; Dress for the Weather

As a mom of four, I know all about kids and spring fever. At the first melting of snow off from Lake Michigan, they want to get the bathing suits out. In their warm weather zeal, they forget that they can still catch a chill. Just because the weather is getting nicer, doesn't mean you won't get sick if you don't dress properly. Winter is the official flu season, but spring can be a mini flu season.

Spring fever can so easily turn into a real fever, because we want so badly to ditch the protective gear. It's finally getting warmer, with temperature in the sixties and seventies in West Michigan. Last night at my house, two of the three kids living at home got sick. Both have sore throats, headaches, body aches, chills and fever. Last year at the end of the school year, my daughter got sick also.

My daughter has been battling me since February about wearing flip flops. Old Navy and other kids' apparel shops don't help by putting summer clothes out when it's still cold and snowy. I bought the summer clothes but insist on reasonably warm clothing at school. Schools are prime breeding grounds for illness.

By layering, shed can shed layers as it gets warmer. There will also be back up warm clothing if she needs it. My older son who is ill works outdoors as an apartment maintenance. That means he's a landscaper, pool maintenance and apartment cleaner all rolled into one.

I'm sure that he has not always been properly dressed when he works outside. Working indoors on apartments, he comes in contact with all kinds of unsanitary conditions. People move away and leave pests, pet remains, unwashed food areas and unsanitary environments. Rooms that have been shut up all winter breed more germs, too.

If you work outdoors, work in unsanitary conditions or have children in school or day care, now is the time to be especially careful about contagious and communicable diseases. Whether your and your kids practice good health and hygiene doesn't mean those around you will.

Most challenging of all is that it's easy to be fooled by these fluctuating weather temperatures. Our bodies are accustomed to winter weather and keeping bundled up. We don't have our summer "sea legs" yet. Our winter-tuned bodies make us susceptible to illness.

Seasonal allergies are another source of problem. Seasonal allergies aren't contagious, but they can deplete resistance to viruses. People who are vulnerable to allergies and sinus infections may also mistake a cold or bout of flu that is contagious for a sinus condition that isn't contagious. They go to school and work sick, either because they can't afford to take time off from work, or because they don't realize that they are contagious. Over the counter Zyrtec , Claritin or generic loratadine non-drowsy formula can help with seasonal allergies.

With the weather warming up, we need to be extra careful to avoid getting ill. Also avoid getting wet and catching a chill. Don't let kids stand out in the rain without protective foot gear, hats and rain coats or umbrellas. Don't let kids get wet and sit around in wet clothes. This is one sure way to get ill.

For more on health, visit my blog at Health Help 4u.