Along with vaccinations, hand-washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent flu. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are not effective against enterovirus 68, only good, old fashioned hand-washing.

Hand hygiene is especially important while children are attending school, where nearly every interaction carries the possibility of transmitting viruses.

“Children should wash their hands before and after going to the bathroom, as well as before eating or drinking,” Frank McGehee, M.D., a Cook Children's pediatrician in Fort Worth, said. “They should work the soap into a good lather and scrub for at least 20 seconds—the amount of time it takes to hum ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’ Have them scrub especially well around fingernails and jewelry.”

It’s also a good idea to have children wash their faces frequently during flu season.

Sometimes it's difficult to make your child take the time to wash his or her hands. How do you get your children to wash their hands? We would love to hear from you.