SMILING THROUGH COLD & FLU SEASON

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports this year’s cold and flu season is expected to begin as early as October.² To help moms manage this worrisome period, TYLENOL^® is partnering with pediatrician Tanya Altmann, MD on the SMILING IT FORWARD^™ program to share tips on how moms can help keep children healthy during cold and flu season.

“As a mom, I know how natural it is to panic when your baby is sick or has a fever. Despite being a pediatrician myself, my baby’s first fever was one of my scariest motherhood moments,” shared Dr. Tanya. “It’s important for moms to remember to stay calm if their child isn’t feeling well or has a fever, as there are steps you can take to get your child healthy and achieve that ’feel better’ smile in no time.”

To help keep your child healthy and comfortable during cold and flu season, Dr. Tanya recommends the following:

• Protect the family from harmful germs. Be sure to wash your child’s hands, and your own, often when entering the house, before eating, and after using the bathroom. Make this a year-round and daily habit, not only during flu and cold season. If you’re on the go, hand sanitizer and wipes are a quick alternative.
• Ease congestion. If your child has a stuffy nose, use a drop or two of nasal saline in each nostril. If the stuffiness keeps your little one from sleeping or eating, try gentle suctioning, which will help remove mucus from their nose. You can also run a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer in your child’s bedroom at night to help alleviate congestion. Remember to clean the humidifier often.
• Know when to consult your pediatrician. If your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 100.4 or higher, always call your pediatrician before treating. For older children, pay attention to your child’s activity level as it can give you a good idea of whether he or she needs to see a doctor.
• Don’t panic. If your child develops a fever, stay calm – it can often be relieved at home with a fever reducer, like Children’s or Infants’ TYLENOL^®. Always make sure to use the dosing device that came with the product and talk to your doctor for dosing children under 2 years of age. Remember to always use the product as directed.
• Help boost the family’s immune system. A well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to keep your family as healthy as possible. Foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and lots of water should be part of your child’s daily menu in order to help keep their immune system strong and healthy.
• Adopt a good sleep routine. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest (so you can too!). School-age children should get at least 10 hours of sleep per day. For toddlers, it’s important to keep those busy hands and feet at rest for at least 12 hours.
• Vaccinate. The CDC recommends flu vaccinations for everyone over 6 months of age.³ If your baby is younger than six months, you can protect your child by vaccinating everyone else around them, including parents, grandparents, siblings and other caregivers. Talk to your child’s doctor to see if vaccination is appropriate.

For more children’s health tips and informational videos from Dr. Tanya, visit www.SmilingItForward.com. While there, TYLENOL^® is encouraging moms to also share photos of their children’s “feel better” smiles. Each approved smile shared will trigger a $1 donation to Children’s Health Fund, up to $100,000, to help ensure a doctor’s visit is always within reach for children in need.⁴

About McNeil Consumer Healthcare
McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products. McNeil Consumer Healthcare brands include TYLENOL^® and MOTRIN^® pain relievers and fever reducers; BENADRYL^®, ZYRTEC^® and ZYRTEC^®-D allergy medicines; IMODIUM^® anti-diarrheal products; and SUDAFED^® and SUDAFED PE^® nasal decongestants.

Children’s Health Fund
Founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener, MD, Children’s Health Fund is a national leader on healthcare for vulnerable children. Children’s Health Fund has a fleet of 50 mobile medical clinics serving hundreds of locations across the country, including schools, community shelters and homeless shelters so that every child in need has a chance to be healthy and ready to learn. Over 27 years, the organization has provided more than three million healthcare visits to disadvantaged children, often in places where doctors and healthcare providers are in short supply. For more information about Children’s Health Fund, visit www.ChildrensHealthFund.org.

¹ Online survey conducted by Mom Central on behalf of the makers of TYLENOL^® between May 28 and June 2, 2014 among 604 U.S. moms, age 18+, with children who are 0-8 years old.
² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . (2014, September 16). What You Should Know for the 2014-2015 Influenza Season. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2014-2015.htm
³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014, September 9). Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
⁴ Between June 23, 2014 and November 30, 2014, McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., the makers of TYLENOL^® is inviting anyone 18 and older to upload a "smile" photo on the TYLENOL^® Facebook page. Each approved "smile" will trigger a $1 donation from TYLENOL^® to Children’s Health Fund, with a minimum donation of $75,000 and a maximum donation of $100,000. Review Terms and Conditions for complete program details. For information about Children’s Health Fund, visit www.childrenshealthfund.org.