5 Ways To Prevent Your Kids From Getting Sick During Back-To-School Season
It’s officially that time of year when kids are constantly getting sick. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, nearly 6% of students ages 5 to 17 were constantly absent from school due to illness, injury, or disability. Even children who don’t suffer from chronic absenteeism may miss a day or two because they catch something in class.
Dr. Markyia Nichols, a practicing physician and chief medical officer at Ciba Health, says there are more than 200 different cold viruses and they are constantly mutating. Fortunately, we’ve spoken with doctors and there are steps parents can take to prevent illness during this flu and cold season.
1. Increase hand washing
Every doctor we consulted about helping kids stay healthy at school said their top advice was to make sure students wash their hands often and thoroughly. Dr. Nicole Levine explains: “Regular hand washing with soap and water is crucial because it physically removes germs and pathogens from the skin. » Make sure children wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or as long as it takes for them to sing Happy Birthday.
Children should wash their hands:
- Before eating
- After using the toilet
- After petting an animal
- After playing outside
- After playing with community toys
The CDC says that one in three young children with diarrhea could have prevented their illness by washing their hands with soap. Additionally, approximately one in five cases of respiratory infections could be prevented through hand washing. If your children don’t have access to a sink in their classroom, consider sending them to school with their own hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol so they can use it during class.
You may think your children have strong immune systems, but that’s not necessarily true. “After a period of less frequent exposure to pathogens, such as during summer vacation, children’s immune systems may be less accustomed to handling the diversity of viruses and bacteria,” Levine said. Hand washing becomes even more important at the start of the school year.
2. Keep your vaccinations up to date
Nichols also points out that keeping your children’s vaccination schedule up to date can help them stay healthy during the school year. Diseases that were once relatively rare are experiencing a resurgence because more children are either under-vaccinated or have not received certain vaccines that prevent serious illness.
For example, measles is on the rise in the United States. According to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 95% of the population must have been vaccinated against measles to avoid a community outbreak. Unfortunately, the National Conference of State Legislatures estimates current measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination rates at just 93% for all kindergartners in the 2022-2023 school year. In some states, this figure is as high as 81%.
Given that Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health says about one in five unvaccinated measles people end up in the hospital and about one in 20 get pneumonia. Thus, vaccinating children could prevent certain serious diseases. Other lifesaving vaccines include those for chickenpox and hepatitis A. You can view the full schedule of vaccines recommended by the CDC on its website.
3. Don’t share water bottles
Some diseases are spread through saliva. Dr. Jennie Stanford, a family physician and Drugwatch medical contributor, says children should never touch or share anything that has been in someone else’s mouth. Young children may be susceptible to putting toys or pencils in their mouths, which can be dangerous if someone else has used them.
Students can also share water bottles or mouth guards during gym class or at an after-school workout. Although children might not mind sharing a sports drink with a friend, the habit can easily spread disease. Label your children’s water bottles and tell them never to lend them.
The Cleveland Clinic points out that the following illnesses are commonly transmitted through saliva: colds, flu, mononucleosis (mono), strep, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cold sores. Even more serious, meningococcal disease is also spread through saliva. This condition can be fatal within hours. Once the bacteria is present in the body, it causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord. Children can spread it through close contact, such as drinking from the same water bottle or kissing.
4. Boost Immunity with Proper Diet
Getting vaccinated is just one way to strengthen the immune system. A diet rich in certain minerals, vitamins and proteins can also help children stay healthy. “Providing healthy foods at home can improve children’s well-being. Foods high in lean protein, low in sugar and high in fiber will support immune health,” Nichols said.
University of Cincinnati Health recommends some of the following foods to boost your children’s immune systems:
- Oranges, tangerines, strawberries and broccoli for vitamin C. These foods can help increase white blood cell production.
- Nuts, seeds and avocados for vitamin E. This vitamin can strengthen your immune system and help it stay regulated.
- Salmon, egg yolks, and mushrooms for vitamin D. Your body needs vitamin D for a strong immune response. Making sure your kids get 13 to 15 minutes of sunlight (with sunscreen, of course) at least three times a week will also help them get enough of this vitamin.
- Bananas, chicken, chickpeas and salmon for vitamin B-6. When your children have enough vitamin B-6, their bodies produce enough red blood cells and can have a healthier lymphatic system.
5. Make regular sleep a priority
The doctors we consulted consistently mentioned that getting enough sleep is just as important for children as it is for adults. Not only is lack of sleep a common source of stress, but it can also weaken your immune system.
Nichols advises young people to get the following amount of sleep, based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Preschoolers ages 3-5: 10 to 13 hours per day (naps included)
Children aged 6 to 12: 9 to 12 hours per day
Teenagers aged 13 to 18: 8 to 10 hours per day
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine shares the same recommendations and warns that sleeping less than the recommended hours is associated with health problems in a variety of ways. For example, lack of sleep could make people more likely to develop a variety of conditions, from diabetes to hypertension.
The academy also warns that teens who don’t get enough sleep are at higher risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The essentials
Sometimes airborne illnesses cannot be prevented, but you can mitigate back-to-school illnesses with good hygiene and lifestyle habits. Best of all, back-to-school health tips can help your kids stay healthier all year long. Some do’s and don’ts:
- Encourage frequent hand washing for 20 seconds
- Follow your children’s vaccination schedule
- Stop sharing water bottles during sports practices
- Choose a diet that boosts immunity
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule
Remember that children have immature immune systems and are more likely to get sick than adults. Encouraging good habits could prevent serious illnesses and prevent them from spreading germs to the rest of the family.
