Champaign, Illinois (WAND) – As Halloween approaches, doctors want to remind parents how to keep their children and everyone around them safe.
Dr. Brent Lifestek is the Medical Director of the Children’s Service Line at Carl Hospital in Champaign. He recommends that parents instruct their children on how to stay safe while trick-or-treating.
“When you touch something and give it to a child, you unknowingly pass not only the treat but also the respiratory droplets. It may be transported.
Reifsteck said a family’s first goal should be to have fun, then practice safety for themselves and others.
“Halloween is about having fun and getting sick is not fun. So make sure your kids know how to stay safe, and that parents guide correct, healthy and safe behaviors in the activity.” I think making them feel comfortable is a good lesson to teach kids,” says Reifstek.
Some of the infections Reifsteck warned about are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and, of course, coronaviruses. Because RSV is slowly spreading, people don’t see it from a medical point of view.
“I think it’s really important for everyone, especially everyone handing out sweets this year, to be aware of what we’re dealing with medically when it comes to hospitalized children,” said Reifsteck. says. .
It is recommended that you bring hand sanitizer and a mask while trick-or-treating.
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