Back to School! 5 Ways to Protect Kids Against Germs

Back to school time usually means sharing germs and getting sick--something parents are all too familiar with. RAND Corp.'s Jeanne Ringel offers several ways parents can protect kids from spreading germs and illness. Although most of us know these preventive measures, the article is a helpful reminder as the nation's children go back to school.

1) Make sure they get enough sleep.
2) Have them take a water bottle to school.
3) Encourage frequent hand washing.
4) Teach them to cover coughs and sneezes.
5) Make sure they get a flu shot.

CDC offers advice and tips to help parents, including information about hand washing, respiratory etiquette, a sleep chart and information about flu and its prevention.