Teaching children about the flu

As the flu continues to spread, it's becoming more and more important to protect our little ones.

"Coming and teaching them at a very young age helps to start them on the right path," Jackson County Health Department Nursing Director Alice Pate said.

Health officials spoke to preschoolers at Kiddie Campus in Marianna Wednesday.

"They kept the children very engaged in the program and I'm just thankful they were able to come out and work with the children," Judy Jeter, owner of Kiddie Campus said.

Flu safety can be hard to teach young children.

"We try to do things that will trigger their mind to remind them how to do, or how long to wash your hands," Pate said.

The "Happy Birthday" song is the perfect length for hand washing.

"That's something that children easily relate to," Pate said.

It's important for teachers and parents to also know how to avoid the flu.

"Let's face it: they're the ones that's going to be doing the cleaning," Pate said.

Light switches, door knobs, and tables should be cleaned regularly.

With two different strands of flu, is it possible to get the flu twice in one season?

"If you've had flu A and then you're exposed to flu B, then yes you could get both," Pate said.

Pate said the chance of getting the same strain of flu twice is very unlikely.

Experts say parents should also teach children to avoid touching their face. The path for many illnesses is through the mouth, eyes, and nose.