5 ways to prevent your children from getting sick during the back-to-school season

With back-to-school season just around the corner, there’s a lot of pressure to make sure your kids have all their supplies on hand. However, another thing you need to look out for is potential illness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2022 6% of students Those aged 5 to 17 years who experience chronic absence from school due to illness, injury or disability. Even kids who don’t suffer from chronic absenteeism can miss a day or two because they pick up something in the classroom.

Dr. Marcia NicholsThere are more than 200 different types, says the practicing physician and chief medical officer of Ciba Health Cold virusesAnd it mutates constantly. Fortunately, according to the doctors we consulted, there are some things parents and caregivers can do to prevent illness when kids return to school.

1. Wash your hands frequently

Every doctor we consulted about helping kids stay healthy in school said their top advice was ensuring student safety Wash their hands Often and accurately. Dr. Nicole Levine “Regular hand washing with soap and water is crucial because it removes germs and pathogens from the skin,” he explains. Make sure children wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or the entire time it takes to sing Happy Birthday.

Children should wash their hands:

• Before eating
• After using the toilet
• After petting the animal
• After playing outside
• After playing community games

the The CDC says one in three young children Those who suffer from diarrhea could prevent their illness by washing their hands with soap. In addition, one in five cases of respiratory infections can be prevented by hand washing. If your children don’t have access to a sink in the classroom, consider sending them to school with their own hand sanitizer At least 60% alcohol So they can use it during class.

You may think that your children have strong immune systems. However, Levin reminds parents, “After a period of less exposure to pathogens, such as during summer vacation, children’s immune systems may be less accustomed to dealing with a variety of viruses and bacteria.” Hand washing becomes even more important at the beginning of the school year.

2. Keep vaccinations up to date

Nichols also emphasizes that updating your children’s vaccination schedule can help keep them healthy once they’re back among many other children. Diseases that were previously relatively rare are making a resurgence because children are not getting enough vaccinations, and failure to get certain vaccines can lead to serious illnesses.

For example, measles has been on the rise in the United States. According to Harvard T Chan School of Public Health, 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated against measles to prevent the spread of the disease in the community. Unfortunately, the National Conference of State Legislatures puts current measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates at just 93% for all kindergartens during the 2022 to 2023 school year. In some states, the rate is as high as 81%.

Given that the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says one in five people who are not immunized against measles end up in the hospital and about one in 20 develop pneumonia, keeping children vaccinated can prevent some serious illnesses. Other vital vaccines include the chickenpox and hepatitis A vaccines. You can see the CDC’s full schedule of recommended vaccines On its website.

3. Don’t share water bottles

Some diseases are spread through saliva. doctor. Jenny StanfordChildren should never touch or share anything that’s been in another person’s mouth, says the family physician and Drugwatch medical contributor. Young children are likely to put toys or pencils in their mouths, which can be dangerous if someone else uses them.

Students can also participate Water bottles Or mouth guards during gym class or at after-school practice. While kids may not think of sharing a sports drink with a friend, the habit can easily spread illness. Label your children’s water bottles and tell them never to lend them.

the Cleveland Clinic points out The following diseases are frequently spread by saliva: colds, influenza, mononucleosis (mono), strep, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cold sores. On a more serious note, Meningococcal disease It is also spread through saliva. This condition can be fatal in hours. Once the bacteria are in the body, they cause 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. Strengthen immunity with the appropriate diet

Getting vaccinated is just one way to do so Support the immune system. Eating a diet rich in certain minerals, vitamins and proteins may also put children in the best position to stay healthy. “Providing healthy food options at home can boost children’s health,” says Nichols. “Foods that are high in lean protein, low in sugar, and high in fiber will support immune health.”

UC Health recommends Some of the following foods to boost your children’s immune system:

• Oranges, tangerines, strawberries and broccoli because they contain vitamin C. These foods may help increase the production of white blood cells.
• Nuts, seeds and avocados contain vitamin E. This vitamin may boost 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 because they contain vitamin B6. When your children get enough vitamin B-6, their bodies produce enough red blood cells and they may have a healthier lymph 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 sleep deprivation a common source of stress, it can weaken your immune system.

Nichols advises that young people get the following amount of sleep, based on recommendations from: American Academy of Pediatrics:

Preschool children aged 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours a day (including naps)

Children from 6 to 12 years old: From 9 to 12 hours a day

Teenagers aged 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours a day

the American Academy of Sleep Medicine He shares the same recommendations and warns that getting less than the recommended hours of sleep is linked to adverse health outcomes in different ways. For example, sleep deprivation can make people more susceptible to everything from diabetes to high blood pressure.

The academy also warns that teens who don’t get enough sleep are more vulnerable to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Bottom line

Sometimes airborne illnesses can’t be completely prevented, but you can mitigate back-to-school illness with good hygiene and lifestyle habits. Best of all, health tips that apply to back-to-school time can help your kids stay healthier all year long. Remember that:

1. Encourage frequent hand washing for 20 seconds
2. Follow your children’s vaccination schedule
3. Stop sharing water bottles during sports practices
4. Choose an immune-boosting diet
5. Stick to a regular sleep schedule

Remember that children have immature immune systems and may be more susceptible to illness than adults. Encouraging good habits can prevent and prevent serious diseases Bringing germs home For the rest of the family.