When taking your child to the doctor for a routine checkup or for a sign of an infection, do you ever worry they might get sick just from being in the waiting room" Your concerns are not unwarranted: In a 2014 study, researchers found that family members who came down with an “influenza-like illness” were likely to have had a well-child visit earlier that week or in the previous two weeks. The researchers calculated that doctor’s office visits potentially translate into 778,974 excess cases of influenza-like illnesses per year in the US. And this year’s flu virus is particularly virulent.
To combat the spread of germs, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) came up with new guidelines on infection prevention and control. Want to protect your child and yourself from the germ incubator that is a doctor’s office waiting room" Make sure your pediatrician’s office is following these best practices from the AAP. 1. Watch for hand-washing before every exam

If your child?s nurse or doctor doesn?t wash their hands before beginning the exam, they might be unwittingly spreading germs from their last patient to your little one. Anyone in a doctor?s office who comes into contact with patients should wash their hands with soap and warm water or use an antibacterial hand sanitizer before and after every patient contact. See them forget" Speak up!

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