USA Today highlighted the latest weapon for parents in the fight to keep their children healthy, Germ Proof Your Kids, a new book by noted pediatrian, Dr. Harley A. Rotbart.

In it's December 10, 2007 edition, the daily newspaper interviewed Dr. Rotbart and quoted extensively from his book.  Dr. Rotbart is Professor and Vice Chairman of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and The Children's Hospital of Denver. 

"If you believe everthing you hear, you'd think the world is a cesspool of germs that threaten the safety of our children," wrote staff reporter Anita Manning.  "Or that our overly sanitized kids should be exposed to viruses and bacteria to strengthen their immune systems.  No wonder parents are confused."

Dr. Rotbart, a father of three teens, advised USA Today readers to adopt "prudent paronoia" -- also known as common sense, Manning reported.  She noted that Dr. Rotbart offers numerous such answers in his book, which was published in November 2007 by the American Society of Microbiology.  The book is available from Amazon.com.

Among Dr. Rotbart's tips: save money on the new crop of antibiotic-impregnated products such as sheets, towels, toilet seats, combs and kitchen counters.  "No one who has reviewed any of these inanimate objects has figured out how the antibiotic ... is going to get out of the aterial to treat the bacteria on the surface of the object," the pediatrician told the newspaper.

Grandmothers have long known that honey -- in tea, in milk, or straight up -- soothes kids' coughs and helps them feel better.

A December 2007 study proves that, again, Grandma is right.

Honey performed better than cough medicine or no treatment at all in easing coughs due to colds and flu.  Honey also helped kids sleep better. 

Be mindful that if your child is under 15 months of age, honey is a no no.  Believe it or not, there is a risk in children this age of contracting botulism. 

One non-scientific benefit of honey is that -- unlike flavored over-the-counter cough medicines -- kids aren't very likely to overdose on honey should they get their hands on an open bottle when you are not looking. 

Besides, ever hear of Winnie the Pooh getting stuck trying to break into a pharmacy?  Us neither!

Adapted from:  Germ Proof Your Kids: The Complete Guide to Protecting (Without Overprotecting) Your Family From Infections.

You can't trail behind your kids all day long to make certain they take precautions against catching colds, flu and other infectious illnesses.  Your best bet is to teach them when it is most important to turn on the faucet, apply soap, and wash their hands.

1.  Little brother or big sister already sick?  Then wash up after playing with them or handling their toys.

2.  When you've got to 'go' in a public restroom, make sure to not only wash, but to use a hand towel after washing to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door.

3.  Yummy. That candied apple sure looks great.  But before you put food in your mouth, make certain your hands are cleaned.

4.  Okay, your team won the big game and it's time to high-five everyone.  Let's see, that's dozens of opportunities to catch something you don't want.  After any mass-handshaking or touching event -- including graduations and Bar Mitzvahs -- it's smart to lather up.

5.  School children love recess, as they should.  When it's time to go back to class, try to wash your hands.

6.  After the last school bell rings or when Mom or Dad pick you up from day care, cleanse away the day's germs.

7.  See Spot Run!  See Spot's Germs!  After you play with Spot or where Spot and any of his animal friends have been, it's a good idea to wet, lather and dry.

8.  As hard as it is to keep things sanitary in the house, it's much harder to do so outdoors.  Washing is a good idea after playing under the skies.

9.  We all are taught to cover our mouth when we cough or sneeze.  We can't catch our own cold this way, but we sure can spread it if we don't wash.  That goes for blowing your nose as well.

10.  Now I lay me down to sleep with clean hands.  Like brushing your teeth, it should be part of the bedtime ritual.

Adapted from:  Germ Proof Your Kids: The Complete Guide to Protecting (Without Overprotecting) Your Family From Infections.

Ranked as one of the top children's health books of 2007, Dr. Harley A. Rotbart's Germ Proof Your Kids gives parents the answers they need to the question of how to protect their families from infections without overprotecting them.

Aids, Bird Flu, West Nile Virus, Superbugs, Ear Infections, Common Colds, Flu, Head Lice, Strep Throat, Food Poisoning.  Plenty to worry about, unless you arm yourself with Germ Proof Your Kids.  For more information and advice, visit www.germproofyourkids.com.

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