Great Tips for Overcoming Springtime Sickness #Sponsored #Ew #SickJustGotReal

Germs are everywhere. Like the 1.3 to 192 million germs that live on the keyboard or touchscreen in front of you. EW! While springtime sunshine draws us outside, how do we protect ourselves and our kids from springtime sickness? 

Here are some great tips from Dr. Nina Shapiro, microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and myself. This post is sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, all opinions are 100% my own. 

• The sun’s rays kill bacteria, so play equipment in the shade will have more bacteria.
• Sandboxes are great homes for germs, especially if local cats frequent them (ew!).
• Germs move from hands to surfaces than to other kids’ hands. So if others are sick at the playground or school, stay away from areas they touch until cleaned.

• Half of the students don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom ­– and of those who do many don’t even use soap.
• Up to 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch live on common school surfaces such as water fountains, desks, computer keyboards, bus seats and cafeteria trays.
• Shared technology in classrooms introduces new high-touch surfaces for spreading germs – the computer mouse, keyboard and tablet surfaces have some of the highest germ counts.

• Imagine with me how many people and germs have touched the shopping cart and credit card machine today! Ew. 
• Some germs can live on dry surfaces, such as toys, for several hours.
• Colds and other respiratory infections are spread by the hands and touching the nose or eyes, while 81 percent of people with the flu virus spread it through the air when they cough. 
• Most kids touch up to 20 objects per minute and touch their face 50 times per hour – leading to wide germ spreading.
• Many illnesses can be contagious before kids admit to feeling sick. 
• Going to your doctor or emergency room could expose you to millions of more germs, so many times staying home and riding out a cold or flu with fluids and rest is the best plan. 

No matter how much you know about germs, sickness happens. So when sick gets real for your family, look for some Pfizer medicines to help them feel better. 

• Children’s Advil® is great for fever, aches and pains for kids 2+. It comes in multiple flavors for choosy kids. Or get the Infant’s version for 6-23 months. As a nurse, Advil (aka Ibuprofen) is my go-to for fussy or feverish sick kids. I always have a bottle in my house and in my car kit for Ew days. 
• For night-ruining coughs, trust Children’s Robitussin® Extended-Release 12 Hour Cough Relief. For children 4+, this will help control coughs so everyone can sleep. Do read the box, as some cough products are safe at age 4 while others are only for 6+. 
• Always read the boxes for ages and dosing information. For Advil and Tylenol, you can also refer to dosing charts. 

Check out Pfizer and Sick Just Got Real online and on Facebook for more helpful tips and products. 

Win!

Win the above 3 medications and a $25 gift card to help your family stay healthy this spring! Comment about your favorite spring activity, then fill out the form and complete other options for more entries!

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Giveaway ends March 28th at midnight. Good luck!

I received compensation for this post. Opinions are 100% my own.