Colds and flu circulate all year round, though in the UK symptoms start becoming more likely as early as October and continue into March. The peak of cold and flu season is typically from November to February. So to help protect yourself, and your children from colds and flu, raise awareness of the symptoms of colds and flu, how viruses are transmitted and how to stay safe.
1. What symptoms of colds and flu?
People with colds typically have a runny or stuffy nose. Though colds generally do not result in serious health problems, and are milder than flu symptoms. Flu symptoms include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue (tiredness).
Colds and flu are causes by germs or viruses.
2. What are germs and viruses?
The term “germs” refers to the microscopic bacteria, viruses (also fungi, and protozoa) that cause disease such as colds and flu.
Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that get nutrients from their environments. Lots of bacteria live inside and on our bodies and some bacteria are also good for us. In particular, those within the gut (digestive tracts) that help us digest food.
Viruses are even smaller than bacteria. They aren’t even a full cell. They are simply genetic material (DNA or RNA) packaged inside of a protein coating. They use another cell’s structures to reproduce. This means they will dies unless they’re living inside something else (such as a person, animal, or plant). When they move into someone’s body, viruses spread easily and can make people sick.
3. How to stay safe from germs and viruses?
Children may be familiar with the recent coronavirus (C-19) pandemic and the consequences of the pandemic. So start by asking if they can recall what a pandemic is and what happened. A pandemic is an infectious disease that spreads across large areas. The recent coronavirus-19 pandemic is believed to have started in Wuhan in China. It originally transmitted from animals to humans in the market, then throughout China, and then to the rest of the world. The virus transmitted though the air, on water droplets, by touch, and breathing in the virus.
In Spid the Spider Battles a Pandemic Spid and his friends catch coronavirus while on holiday. They learn a number of methods to safe safe from germs and viruses including the importance of:
- understanding viruses and how they are transmitted
- using thermometers to check for infection
- wearing face masks
- social distancing, staying at least 2m distant from each other
- self-isolation, remaining in their own homes
- regular hand-washing and /or using alcohol-based gels
- getting vaccinated or immunised to help prevent infection
All of these methods also help prevent colds and flu. It is why children are encouraged to stay home, and away from school, if they are ill.
Click the link to download our staying safe from colds and flu discussion prompts
