Is Your Daycare Provider 'Flu Ready?'

With the seasonal flu going around there are things your daycare provider can do to help prevent your child from getting sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control children 5 years old or younger are at higher risk of getting the H1N1 flu virus.

Children 2 years old and younger are at the most risk for severe complications from the flu.

Maryland's Health Department is taking action to make sure daycare providers have all the information they need about flu prevention.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has released a check list of things your daycare service should do to help prevent the spread of flu.

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• Getting vaccinated. Consider vaccination for seasonal flu and the H1N1 (Swine) Flu when
• Practicing good hand hygiene. Wash hands often with soap and water, especially  after
• Practicing respiratory etiquette. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or a sleeve.
• Staying home if sick. Stay away from others for at least 24 hours after fever free.
• Performing a daily health check of children.
• Sending sick staff and children home immediately. Move sick staff or children to a
• Routinely cleaning surfaces and items that children frequently touch.

***Source: MD Dept. of Health

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Maryland's Department of Health is suggesting that all parents and daycare providers perform daily health checks on children.

Here's the list of things to look for:

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• Change in behavior
• Report of illness in child or family member
• Recent visit to health care provider
• Signs or symptoms of flu

***Source: MD Dept. of Health

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Flu symptoms include fever of more than 100 degrees fahrenheit, cough, or sore throat. You may also experience a runny nose, chills, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

If you feel you or your child has any of these symptoms you should call your doctor to seek medical advice.