The new school year is in full swing and with that comes the arrival of the ‘back-to-school plague’.
Colds, coughs, stomach bugs and pink eye (conjunctivitis) are just some if the many common viruses spread at school.
If you are looking for ways to avoid your child being sick every two weeks or so from now until Christmas, then childrens.com has the answers for you.
It’s likely that the Covid-19 and flu viruses will also circulate during certain times of the year.
In addition to this, children can spread bacterial infections, including impetigo (an infection of the skin) and strep throat.
The experts say: “There’s no secret formula to keep kids from getting sick, but there are steps that parents and caregivers can take to prevent illness when kids go back to school.”
How can I keep my child from getting sick at school?
Regular hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and keep your child healthy.
Children (and adults) should wash their hands:
- After sneezing or blowing their nose
- After touching doorknobs, desks and handrails
- After using the bathroom
- Before and after eating
It’s important to teach your child proper hand washing steps, including reminding them to do it for at least 20 seconds or as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday.”
If soap and water aren’t available, your child can use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitiser to clean their hands. You could even clip a small bottle to your child’s bag for easy access.
It’s also important to teach your child good hygiene and show them how to properly cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow.
Other things you can do to up their immunity against all these common illnesses is:
- Make sure your child gets the recommended amount of sleep
- Keep stress at a minimum
- Stay up to date with your child’s vaccinations
- Make sure they eat a well balanced diet
For more information on this topic, click here.
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