It is that time of the year when many children are returning to school. It is also a time when some illnesses that affect children are more frequent. Parents should be aware that there are several things they can do to help their children decrease their risks of developing these illnesses.
Common illnesses in children returning to school
There are a number of illnesses that appear to occur more frequently when children return to school or start attending school for the first time. These include the following:
Cough and colds
Viral illnesses and colds, as well as other respiratory problems, are more frequent in children as they return to school and are in crowded environments. The common cold is the most common illness seen in children as they return to school.Many of these viral illnesses that affect children when they return to school are not very serious but can cause much discomfort for a child. Once there is no fever, and the child is feeling well, there is no need to avoid school for a prolonged period. Most children recover within one week from the common cold.
Diarrhea/vomiting
Diarrhea and vomiting can occur together or separately.
Children with diarrhea should remain home until they are symptom-free for24 hours.
A child who has vomited the evening before, or in the morning before school, should remain home for that day.
Viral gastroenteritis is extremely common in children going to pre-schools and primary schools for the first time.
Other illnesses
There are a number of other illnesses that also see a spike as children return to school. These include: conjunctivitis (the red eye), otitis media (ear infection) and various skin infections.
Tell the school
It is important to keep the school informed if your child is going to be absent. There should be a clear process for you to follow to inform the school that your child will not be attending. It is important to keep your sick child at home to avoid him or her infecting other children.Remember to keep him or her home until he or she has been symptom-free for 24 hours. If in doubt discuss this with your doctor.
Prevention
Preventing our children from illnesses, once back in school, is important. Illnesses are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi that are transmitted from one person to another. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person go through the air and land on a surface like a desk. Germs are easily spread when someone touches the object that has been contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Keeping the hands away from the nose and mouth are the most helpful steps in prevention. Talk to your children about covering their mouths with a tissue when they cough and sneeze.School-age children average five or six colds a year, and adolescents approximately four colds a year. In addition, children can have diarrhea illnesses with or without vomiting two to three times per year. The main cause of frequent colds or illness is your child being exposed to new viruses. Viruses increase various times, when we spend more time crowded together indoors.
Practice Good Hand Hygiene – Good hand-washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of colds, the flu and viruses. Washing your hands after using the bathroom, blowing your nose, handling trash, touching animals, and prior to touching food, will help eliminate germs. Soap and water can be used for 20 seconds to their hands to wash away those germs. Using alcohol-based hand cleaners is also effective.
Boosting your immune system
An unhealthy diet, and not enough sleep, can affect the immune system and lower your resistance to illnesses. Normally our bodies can help fight off organisms before we get sick. However, staying up late, cramming for an exam or eating too many junk foods like cheeseburgers and fries can wear our body down. Poor nutrition and not getting good rest can weaken the immune system. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables can prevent health problems. Drinking water helps prevent dehydration and helps flush out the body. Sleep is crucial to maintaining your child’s health. Sleep is the body’s time to repair and rejuvenate itself.
Encourage your children to exercise during the school year as well. Exercise is good for us physically and mentally. Exercise helps with anxiety and stress and we sleep better as well. Exercise gives us a higher energy level and can promote better concentration in school.
Stress is the body’s normal response to troubling situations. Children can experience stress on entering a new class or a new school, or from worrying about an upcoming test at school. So preparing your child ahead of time can help reduce stress. Encourage your child to study each evening versus cramming the night before a test.
Not sending sick febrile children to school is another important way to protect the rest of the class.If your child has a temperature higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (or 37.7 degrees Celsius), body aches and extreme sleepiness – or is coughing or vomiting – you need to keep him/her home until he/she is free of those symptoms for 24 hours.
Conclusion
InAnguilla, as is the case in many other countries, clinicians often see a spike in various illnesses as children return to school. The common cold, gastroenteritis and ear infection are the most frequent. There are various things parents and children can do to decrease the risk of children getting such illnesses. These inlcude good had washing and boosting the immune system. Despite various preventative measures illnesses still occur. Parents should not send sick children to school as this can spread the illness to other children. A child having one or two illnesses during the school year is acceptable, and parents should not get too concerned.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty nine years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
