Your preschooler comes home with the flu. It's only a matter of time before the rest of the family -- including your vulnerable baby -- fall like dominoes to aches and fever, right? Not necessarily, says Sandra Delack, president-elect of the National Association of School Nurses. If taken within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus, an antiviral prescription medication (like Tamiflu) is up to 82 percent effective at keeping the bug at bay. It's not approved for infants under 1, but your baby has a much lower chance of coming down with the flu if you stay healthy. Antivirals can also reduce the length and severity of the flu (again, if taken within 48 hours). Other ways to keep the flu from becoming a family affair:
- Get a flu shot for everyone in the house who's old enough (it's approved for children ages 6 months and up).
- Wash your hands -- often.
- Use disinfectant wipes on germ magnets like remotes, phones, refrigerator handles.
