Hi, I’m Captain Cough, one of the four Children’s Flu Fighters. First, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy New Year as many of you head back to school and work this week. Second, I’d like to remind you that Children’s Flu Fighters (Missy Clean, Super Sneeze, the R & R Kid and I, Captain Cough) are working hard to protect your children and you from colds and flu. As we kick off 2010, I thought I would share some great advice our friend Jessica Balliet, RD, CD, a clinical dietitian at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin put together recently: (more…)

Captain Cough

This current round of H1N1 (swine) flu is hitting kids hard. While local physicians have been working diligently to help children with flu symptoms, Children’s Flu Fighters have been out in our communities teaching kids how to prevent flu bugs from striking.

Children’s Hospital launched the Flu Fighters program in September as an outreach campaign targeting schools and daycares, primarily in Wisconsin. It’s a Web-based program (www.childrensflufighters.com) with free, online resources.

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Children’s Hospital today unveiled a new team of superheroes. The “Children’s Flu Fighters” are eager to spread their germ-fighting messages to kids everywhere. Missy Clean, Captain Cough, Super Sneeze and R & R Kid teach kids four basic ways to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Cover your cough.
3. Sneeze in your sleeve.
4. Take the day off.

The Flu Fighters were developed as a fun and interactive way to teach kids about staying healthy. Over the coming weeks, Children’s Hospital and Children’s Health Education Center will be reaching out to educators, parents, caregivers and children of all ages on the importance of practicing healthy habits this cold and flu season.

Help us spread the word about not spreading germs! Share the Flu Fighters’ messages with your kids’ teachers by sending them the link to ChildrensFluFighters.com. They can register to receive “Children’s Flu Fighters” information packets that will include posters, stickers and other informational tools (supplies are limited).

Children’s Health Education Center also offers a program for K4 and K5 students called, “Keeping Clean is Good Hygiene.” This has been very popular with teachers this year with all of the concern about the spread of H1N1. If your classroom is interested, please contact us.

And, please let us know what your kids think about the Flu Fighters!

– Bridget Clementi, executive director, Children’s Health Education Center