Are you freaked out about swine flu? Does the thought of going to a theme park where your kids touch everything scare you?

I was in Animal Kingdom yesterday when I saw a WFTV report that a Walt Disney World guest was being tested for the flu strain. So far, there are still no confirmed cases in Central Florida, but it’s understandable that moms would be concerned.

In fact, we should be concerned about germs anytime we’re in a theme park. Rides usually involve bars that you grab and brace yourself on. And guess what? Seconds before you grabbed that bar, someone else was gripping it.

But I didn’t go running for the park exit when I heard the news. And I don’t intend to don a surgical mask at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this weekend. I’m just going to be a little more vigilant about those germy surfaces.

The CDC says all you really need to do to protect yourself from swine flu is use some common sense. Wash your hands, get enough rest, eat wisely. My advice for theme park visits is equally simple: Get in the habit of using hand sanitizer after every ride. Buy one of the bottle that will clip onto the strap of your bag, and it will only take 10 seconds to give everyone in your family a squirt.

Germaphobes Unite!: How Theme Park Mom conquers germy fears is a post from Family travel blog Theme Park Mom