Imagine...

...you have a child with a peanut allergy. When you take her to school one morning, you notice several of her classmates with peanut butter smeared all over their face and hands.

"Oh, it's just a little peanut butter!" explains one mother, "she's had it for days now and I just can't seem to make it go away!"

"Well, it's just that time of year," replies another mother.

The bell rings and the children are ushered inside. Are you worried? What are the chances that your child will come into contact with some of that peanut butter? And how fatal will be her reaction? Would you risk it?

Does this whole scenario seem pretty far-fetched? Well, relax... about the peanut allergy, that is. Only about 1 in 1,000 children have a genuine nut allergy and only about 1 in 999 billion of school-age children actually come to school smeared in peanut butter. And now with all the publicity that food allergies have gotten, some public insitutions (such as schools) are now officially zoned 'nut-free.'

Now for a real-life scenario, and one that I feel deserves some attention. I have a daughter with asthma. She uses a 'preventer' inhaler to control daily symptoms, but for her, catching a cold can very often lead to complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Encountering germs from other people in public places can plunge her into several weeks of serious illness. So while the idea of bringing a child to school smothered in peanut butter seems utterly unthinkable given the 'abundance' of nut allergies these days, there are, conversely, all too many parents that don't think twice about bringing their snot-nosed toddler to a playgroup or their croupy child to school.

Here are some things to consider regarding germs:

* If you or your child are exhibiting any SYMPTOMS of illness, then you are ill. Symptoms are the outward manifestation of your immune system's actions of fighting illness. Even if you are feeling 'well,' symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose can still contain infectious material and are contagious to others.

* STAY HOME - When you are unwell, please forego any public appearances for the sake of others. It often seems that with young children, a mom can be stuck at home endlessly with sniffles and cough. I know. I have been there. Be tough and override any selfish desire for social interaction on behalf of those you would like to socialize with. I have yet to meet someone who was not forgiving of my absense for reasons of illness.

* Arm yourselves - I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer and a package of tissues with me in my purse and carry it with me wherever I go. EVERY TIME I come in contact with public areas (toilets, grocery carts, handrails, etc.) I am diligent about washing my hands and/or using the hand sanitizer. My children also carry a little purse or satchel with tissues and hand sanitizer and they have been instructed, trained, and tested in how to use them. I have even made arrangements with their teachers for them to carry and use these things in school.

* Stock up on the essentials - Tissues are cheap and are for catching your coughs and sneezes. Get in the habit of using them and teach your children to use them properly as well. Keep an abundant supply. While you're stocking up, why not assess your store cupboard for essential medicines (fever reducers, pain relievers)? Throw some popsicles into the freezer as well - they are great for easing sore throats and keeping you hydrated. Soups made with clear broths are also a good idea to have on hand and porridge oats store well and can be useful for treating tummy/bowel sickness.

* Prepare for the inevitable - it's unreasonable to expect to out-manoevre all germs. The reality is we all get sick from time to time. Your odds of a full and speedy recovery are much greater if you remember these three things:

1. Rest.
2. Eat (and drink plenty of clear fluids). This fuels your immune system.
3. Practice good hygiene (before and after illness). Remember to deep clean clothing, bedding and any surface you may have come into contact with whilst ill. Bleach (or other disinfectant) is absolutely necessary to kill infectious bacteria, especially in the case of stomach flu.

If ever in doubt, err on the side of caution and etiquette.