Hand washing can keep kids healthy this flu season

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- We've been warning that the flu could have a severe season this year.

The CDC is starting to see an uptick in the number of new cases and the vaccine is said to be only about 10 percent effective against the predominant strain.

This is why hand-washing is especially vital this year. Everyone, including kids at school, should wash their hands frequently, wiping down common surfaces also helps stop the spread of germs.

Besides the flu, we typically see upper respiratory infections, strep throat and stomach viruses this time of year. Parents also need to know when to keep kids home.

"If they're vomiting, have diarrhea and a fever, that child isn't going to get anything out of school, plus they're going to be an infectious risk to their peers. So, certainly anybody that has a fever really should be home, until they're twenty-four hours without a fever," said Dr. Skylar Kalady from the Cleveland Clinic.

As for the flu shot, it's still not a waste to get one. If you get the flu, the vaccine can make it less severe and the more people who are vaccinated, the better off everyone is.

Plus, it helps protect people and babies who can't the flu shot.

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