This year, when you're hosting parties and relatives during the holidays, there's an extra challenge to add to the mix: the risk of spreading cold and flu germs. While we all love to celebrate with friends, family and co-workers, it's easy for germs to crash the party.

Luckily, you can be a gracious host and keep everyone healthy, says etiquette expert Anna Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, the American author on etiquette. "It's always important to have good manners, but it's especially important during cold and flu season," she says

Post has some valuable advice for how to handle six of the season's most common germ-spreading scenarios. Follow her lead, and no one will leave your home with hurt feelings -- or the flu.

Scenario No. 1: Your friends arrive for a long weekend, and their child regularly sneezes without covering her mouth.

It's not your place to correct someone else's child, says Post. It's better to speak to the parent -- be clear and calm, as you're more likely to offend if you sound upset. Make it easy on your guests by saying, "I know we're all extra-worried about the flu this season. I'd be happy to leave a stool in the kitchen so the kids can wash their hands." Their daughter might even be excited to wash her hands like a grown-up. Finally, you could offer to teach her a clean-hands trick, but once again, make your tone gracious:"My kids love this trick of sneezing into their sleeve. May I teach it to Sara?”

Scenario No. 2: At this year's holiday potluck, people will want to shake hands when they arrive, but you don't want to encourage the spread of germs.

It's OK not to shake hands as long as you convey a warm welcome with your words and body language," says Post. She recommends tailoring the greeting to the person:

Close friends and loves ones: Give a hug.

• Acquaintances: Give a welcoming smile but keep your hands to yourself as you say, "It's so great to see you!”
• Co-workers: It's best to shake hands with colleagues. Just slip away to wash your hands once greetings are over.

Scenario No. 3: During a weeklong visit to your home, a relative comes down with a cold.

The most important thing is not to make her feel like a pariah, says Post. "She's not suddenly persona non grata just because she got sick." Tell her how sorry you are that she is feeling under the weather. She may decide to leave early, but if not, help her feel as comfortable as possible in your home. Set her up in a cozy bedroom that is quiet and away from others so she can get plenty of rest. (This also helps keep germs from spreading.) Set up a TV in the room and bring her some books to keep her occupied. Finally, go beyond asking what she needs, because she may be embarrassed to make requests, says Post. Offer to bring her some tea, draw her a hot bath, or run to the drugstore for medicine.

Scenario No. 4: You're playing games after a holiday dinner, and a friend coughs on the Wii remote and then hands it to you.

There are two appropriate responses, says Post. If the cougher isn't overly sensitive, go the direct route. Jokingly say (with a smile in your voice),"John, that's gross -- go clean that thing up!" If you're not comfortable being so blunt, try a more diplomatic approach. Simply take the remote as you say, "With the flu going around, let me just wipe this thing down.”

Scenario No. 5: You host a holiday happy hour at your home for your co-workers. One of them starts helping prepare appetizers but doesn't wash her hands before touching the food.

As hostess, it's your responsibility to speak up for the well-being of all your guests. That said, no one likes to be corrected, so it's important to speak gently. "When we're worried or stressed, we often forget that tone of voice makes all the difference. You need to be direct but also kind," says Post. Smile at your friend and nonchalantly say, "Oh, Kate, since it's cold and flu season, do you mind washing up? We just want to be extra-careful. There's some soap at the sink."

Scenario No. 6: It's two hours before your annual holiday cookie swap, and you notice the first signs of the flu. You don't want to let everyone down by canceling, but you don't want to get anyone sick either.

Call a close friend who's coming to your party and ask her to step in as hostess. You could say, "Jen, I think I'm coming down with something. I know this is a lot to ask, but everything is all ready, and I was hoping you could play hostess. I'll stay upstairs, but I want everyone to enjoy themselves.”

If you're too sick to have people in your home, ask a neighbor who is invited if she could hold the party at her house. Say, "Pam, I know this is last minute, and I'm so sorry. But I've got the flu and don't want to get anyone sick. Could we redirect to your place?" If she agrees, ask her to help you call the other guests to spread the word, and have your husband answer the door for any you can't reach. All he has to say is, "We're so sorry -- we tried to reach you. But my wife is sick, and we don't want to pass it along, so the party's next door."

If you don't have a friend who can host, then you must call your guests and cancel, says Post. "It's unfortunate to cancel last-minute, but it's better than causing your friends to get sick.”

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UPDATED JANUARY 29, 2018

The deadly 2018 influenza epidemic shows no signs of letting up. Hundreds of people in the United States have died this flu season, and the experts from CDC say it isn't done yet. It is still recommended that anyone who hasn't yet done get a flu shot, and keep some Genexa Flu Fix on hand in case someone in your household starts showing symptoms. Then call your doctor and make an appointment. This flu strain is very dangerous and can be fatal if gone untreated.

 

UPDATED JANUARY 19, 2018

The deadly flu epidemic continues to take its toll this flu season. Experts are blaming this year's deadly outbreak, which has caused over 100 deaths alone in San Diego County alone, on the deadly H3N2 strain. Doctors, experts and the Center for Disease Control are warning the public that the danger will last another 10 to 12 weeks, and that it is not too late to get a flu vaccination. The CDC has called the 2017-2018 flu an epidemic, but notes that it technically meets that designation just about every year. “We’re at the peak of it now, and we’ll probably see it go below the baseline in several months,” Jernigan said during the briefing. “So, yes, [we’re] definitely in an epidemic, but that’s happens every year in the United States and in the Northern Hemisphere with influenza.”

Prevention is still key to surviving the next few months, for more info on how to minimize your exposure to this year's threat, please visit our article on flu prevention.

For many families, battling the flu is a seasonal rite of passage: Up to one in five children will suffer through a bout this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "But it can be a scary experience for any mom," says Dr. Kelly Orringer, a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan. "Your child can get very sick, very fast."

To help ease your worries, we asked the experts to spell out what day-by-day flu symptoms to expect, how you should treat them, and when to call your pediatrician. By arming yourself with the flu facts, you can stop fretting -- and start taking charge!

Day 1: Initial Flu Symptoms Appear
The first signs of flu are a runny nose, chills and body aches," says Dr. Stanley Grogg, a professor of pediatrics at Oklahoma State University and a spokesman for the American Osteopathic Association. "A child will feel pretty miserable within a 24-hour span.” To prepare for the next few days, stock up on blankets and soft tissues that won’t irritate the area around your child’s nose and increase discomfort.

Be sure to call your pediatrician too: Your little one is already contagious, says Grogg, so if you have a family member who is at risk for complications of the flu -- for example, an infant under the age of 6 months, or a senior citizen older than 65 -- an antiviral medication may be necessary. The course of two pills, which prevent the spread of flu, is most effective within 48 hours of the onset of your child's symptoms.

In addition, Grogg says you should take your child to the doctor if, at any point during the duration of the flu, your child runs a fever higher than 105 F, experiences painful, labored breathing, or stops drinking. Moms have good instincts about their kids, so if something feels really wrong, trust your gut and call your pediatrician.

Day 2: Your Child Runs a Fever
On the second day, a child usually starts running a high fever," says Grogg. "She'll also experience fatigue and a wet cough." He advises bringing down her fever and easing aches with acetaminophen or ibuprofen -- but avoid aspirin."Giving a feverish child aspirin has been linked to a rare, but dangerous, condition called Reye's syndrome," he says.

To prevent dehydration, Grogg recommends making sure that your child is drinking enough: Place a water bottle next to her bed and give her ice pops made with 100-percent fruit juice. And because most children also lose their appetite, he also suggests feeding her calorie-dense treats, like chocolate milk and smoothies.

Days 3 to 5: Symptoms Worsen
Is your child super-sick? That's normal. "This is when flu symptoms are at their worst," explains Orringer. Your kid may also start experiencing gastrointestinal problems, like vomiting and diarrhea; continue giving your child plenty of fluids and ibuprofen or acetaminophen, says Orringer. "For children older than 6, over-the-counter oral medications can provide relief." Other methods she recommends to ease the suffering:

• Brewing tea with honey (can help soothe a sore throat and cough)
• Using a saline spray and running a humidifier (can lessen congestion
• Applying a topical cough-relief rub (can help your child sleep better)

Days 6 to 10: Recuperation Begins
At last -- your child should start feeling better. But if he's not showing improvement, call your pediatrician, says Grogg.

Your kid is also less contagious during this time, says Grogg, so it's safe to let him play with his siblings and friends again. Once your child's temperature is below 100 F for 24 hours (without the aid of acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and he no longer has an uncontrollable cough, Grogg recommends sending him back to school.

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Maybe your son suddenly developed a stomachache on the day of the big quiz. Or your daughter has a mysterious cough after playing back-to-back soccer games yesterday. For whatever reason, you're not sure if your child is really sick -- or just sick of school. In my experience as a school nurse, I've found that there are a few ways you can tell the difference. Be on the lookout for these telltale signs for when a child is faking sick:

• Inconsistent complaints. If your daughter complains of a stuffy nose one minute, followed by a stomachache and then a headache the next, it may be a sign she's pretending.
• Disappearing symptoms. In my office, I have a rule that I don't see non-emergency cases for the first hour of school. That's because when kids become engaged with activities and friends, they forget all about being "sick." So take note if you notice that your child's cough vanishes when he's playing with his brother. Kids who are under-the-weather also tend to doze off throughout the day, so be wary if your son seems completely alert while watching television or playing computer games.
• Sudden recovery. If a child seems fine after you decide to keep her home from school, that's a surefire red flag!

So should you let him stay home? My rule: If a child doesn't have a fever, hasn't vomited or doesn't have any obvious symptoms (such as diarrhea), I would send him to school. But don't discount his complaints: If he keeps mentioning a symptom, like a headache or stuffy nose, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to rule out any illnesses or other health issues.

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As a parenting expert, I often teach one simple, free way to get your kids to stress less, fend off colds, and sleep more soundly. It sounds too good to be true, right? But these are just a few the benefits of one simple action: touch.

Children need physical touch as much as they need the air they breathe. After all, it's the only one of the physical senses that humans can't live without. That's because our skin plays an important role in the stimulation of hormones and function of the internal organs. In fact, a growing body of research shows that touching has many rewards, such as

• Healthy growth and development. Research from the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute found that infants who received regular massages from their moms grew more and gained more weight after a month.
   
• Less stress and anxiety. Touch can improve the relaxation response, lessening stress and anxiety, reports a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.
• Better sleep. Need more shut-eye? Give a few more snuggles. According to a study published in Infant Behavior and Development, babies who were given regular massages slept more soundly than those who didn't.
• A stronger immune system. Massages boost the production of natural killer cells, cells that fight off viruses and other invaders, reveals a study from the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute.
• Reduced aggression. In a study of 17 teens, those who received 20-minute massages twice a week reported feeling less hostile after about a month. Their parents also said they seemed calmer and less aggressive.

But even with all these proven benefits, children receive little physical contact from their parents -- and even less in day care and preschool settings. According to a study published in the journal Early Child Development and Care,  preschool children receive physical contact less than 12 percent of the day, and boys receive much less than that amount.

To foster more contact with infants and toddlers, I recommend that parents incorporate the following actions into their daily routine:

• Bathing

• Breathing

• Breastfeeding

• Giving kisses

• Gently massaing your baby or toddler with soft strokes

• Snuggling

• Engaging in physical play, like tickling

Holding and/or carrying your child in a soft baby carrier (just keep in mind that the overuse of strollers, swings and plastic carriers can prevent young children from getting the physical touch they need every day)

As children grow older, it's only natural that they begin to pull away. But their need for touch always remains. While you want to respect your kids' developing individuality, you won't want them to stray too far. To stay in touch (literally), try changing it up with:

• Snuggling

• Back rubs

• Neck and shoulder massages (and don't forget to ask for one yourself!)

• Rough-and-tumble play -- without competitiveness or aggression

• An occasional kiss, but respect the child's cues as to what makes him or her comfortable

What About Dad? 

It's just as important for fathers to make physical contact with their children. Rough-and-tumble play is one way that even the most reticent dad can handle touch, without feeling too uncomfortable.

If you didn't receive a lot of touch when you were a child, this may all seem a little too much. But just remember that our bodies need the sensation -- just like they require food to eat. So if your kid is feeling a bit under the weather, make an effort to comfort her with some extra snuggles; you just may speed up her immune system and help her get more of the quality rest she needs. And with time and practice, those hugs, snuggles and massages will become a natural and joyful part of your daily routine -- and that will help your kid stay happier and healthier year-round.

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Far too many of us treat our cars like second homes: We eat, drink, spill things and create piles of clutter inside.

But stop and think about it. When was the last time you really gave your car a thorough cleaning on the inside? And think back to the last time you hopped into your car with a bad cold and sneezed, spreading germs throughout your car's cabin. Did you bother to wipe down surfaces afterwards? Didn't think so.

Germs run rampant all around us, including in our automobiles. Fortunately, there's much you can do to keep those pesky little microbes in check. Here are some tips from the country's leading germ experts on how to sanitize your ride's interior.

Daily Wipe-down
When you and your kids get in your car, you inevitably come into contact with surfaces that are covered with germs," says Donna Duberg, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University's Doisy College of Health Sciences."Then you touch your eyes, nose and mouth. That's how little germies from unclean surfaces make their way into our bodies."

Stay healthy by wiping down the frequently touched areas with a disinfectant (e.g., a sanitizing or disinfecting wipe) that kills viruses and bacteria. (You may have to read the fine print on the label to be sure.) Look for a wipe that does not contain bleach -- some are labeled as being "bleach-free" -- so you can use them to clean hard, nonporous surfaces like steering wheels, dashboards, knobs, chrome accents, door handles and even mirrors.

Make wiping down the interior of your vehicle part of a daily routine, especially when someone in your family has been sick.

Sneeze on Wheels
We are becoming a nation of families eating on the go -- most often in our cars. Inevitably, food particles end up on the vehicle's upholstery, floor, seat belts, steering wheel and knobs. These crumbs are a breeding ground for bacteria, which love a warm, dark and moist environment.

What's more, during allergy season you're also likely tracking irritating outdoor allergens into your car, exacerbating those sniffles and sneezes.

Vacuum what you can with a handheld portable vac after returning home from any outing during which you or the kids were eating in the car. "Then wipe down surfaces with a disinfectant wipe and dry them completely to eliminate any lingering moisture," says Philip Tierno, M.D., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center and the author of The Secret Life of Germs: Observations and Lessons From a Microbe Hunter. "Failing to do so allows organisms like mold to grow, which can make you and your children sick," warns Tierno.

And even if your family doesn't eat in the car, make a regular habit of vacuuming the floor and seats to pick up pollen and other sneeze-inducers you might have inadvertently welcomed into your car.

Sanitizer at the Ready
Once you get into the habit of wiping surfaces and vacuuming food spills in your car, why not attack germs' main entry point into your car: your hands?

Hand sanitizers should be kept in every single vehicle, advises Duberg. After you use the handle at the gas pump or press the buttons on the ATM, your hands are covered with germs from the people who touched these surfaces before you.

After touching commonly used surfaces, apply a hand sanitizer to avoid passing germs onto the surfaces inside your car. Go with sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol concentration. Look at the list of active ingredients for ethyl alcohol, ethanol, isopropanol or another variation. Apply to all parts of the hands (i.e., palms, nails, knuckles) and continue to rub your hands together until they are completely dry.  

Car Seat Care
Little ones can equal big messes in the car -- bottle spills, leaky diapers, unidentifiable crumbs. Luckily, the majority of child safety seats are made from fabric that can be removed and washed. A recent study conducted by Charles P. Gerba, Ph.D., professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona and a leading authority on germs, found that car seats often have bacteria on them -- and enough to make a child sick with an ear infection or strep throat.

And that's not all. They also typically have some mold growth, which can be particularly worrisome if you or your child suffers from allergies or asthma. Gerba suggests washing your child safety seat cover a few times per month.

He also recommends wiping down the plastic shell and harness of the child safety seat with water and a mild soap on a weekly basis -- or more often if your child is sick. Between washings, be sure to vacuum or shake out the car seat as often as possible to remove food droppings.

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