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Back to School
with Health in Mind
The Avoid the Sickness Cycle
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As many parents know,
back-to-school time can mean it's time to stock up on
over-the-counter remedies for the sniffles, coughs, and upset
stomachs that can be a part of the school year. Children often
bring home what seems like a string of illnesses as school
begins and they are exposed to a host of viruses and germs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), around 22
million school days are missed every year from the common cold
alone. Flu is another illness that often causes children to stay
home from school. |
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"It's no surprise that spending more time with other kids can
mean more illnesses for your children," says
Sara Woods, M.D.,
a
pediatrician at The Austin
Diagnostic Clinic. "But you can help prevent the spread of germs
by keeping your sick children home from school, and also by
teaching them the best ways to stay healthy."
The building blocks of good health
When children are getting enough rest, eating well, and
exercising, their immune systems are at their strongest and are
better prepared to fight off illness. Make sure your children
are eating a nutritious diet and getting a good night's sleep.
The amount of sleep needed varies by your child's age, with 7-
to 12-year-olds needing 10 to 11 hours each night, and 12- to
18-year-olds needing 8 to 9.5 hours per night. Children should
eat a variety of foods low in sugar, salt, and fats, and they
should eat plenty of grains, vegetables, and fruits.
"Overall health is something that requires long-term
maintenance," says Dr. Woods. "By maintaining your child's
overall health and using a few preventive measures, you can help
this cold and flu season be less severe at your home and at your
child's school."
Staying healthy
In addition to helping keep their immune systems strong, when
children limit their contact with germs and viruses it may mean
they miss fewer school days. Teaching your children to keep
their hands clean is a simple and effective way to help prevent
the spread of germs. Many illnesses are spread through touching
shared objects such as doorknobs, desks, or computer keyboards,
and then touching the eyes or mouth.
According to the CDC, children who use proper hand-washing
hygiene miss fewer days of school each year. Children will often
follow instructions better than adults do, so show them the
correct way to wash their hands and they may be more consistent
about hand-washing than you are. Teach them to wash their hands
after touching common objects, after going to the bathroom,
after coughing or sneezing, and after touching other people. To
effectively stop germs, hands should be washed for about 20
seconds, or about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday"
twice. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers and
wipes are also effective. Put them in your children's lunch
boxes or backpacks for easy access during the school day.
"Respiratory illnesses like colds and flu are generally spread
from coughing or sneezing," says Dr. Woods. "Teach your child to
cover his or her mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. If tissue is not readily available, children can cough
or sneeze into their shirt sleeves."
Sharing drinks, cups, or utensils can also spread germs. Tell
your child to use his or her own utensils, and also to avoid
sharing drinks with classmates and friends.
Vaccinations
Schools generally won't let children start classes without
required vaccinations for illnesses like mumps, rubella, and
pertussis. Another vaccine parents should consider each year for
school-age children is the flu vaccine. The CDC recommends that
children from age six months to age 18 be vaccinated against the
flu annually, since children are at a higher risk of serious
complications from the flu.
"With continuing reports of swine flu cases, officials are
expecting a more severe flu season this year. Children should
get their seasonal flu shot, but they should also get the swine
flu vaccine when it comes out this fall," advises Dr. Woods.
"The seasonal shot won't protect against swine flu, so it's
highly recommended that schoolchildren get the swine flu
vaccine."
If your child is sick
If your child does get sick, you can help prevent the spread of
the illness to other children by keeping him or her home from
school. A good rule is to keep kids home if they have a fever,
vomiting, severe sore throat, or diarrhea. They often can go
back to school as soon as they feel well enough, but check with
your child's pediatrician if you aren't sure. Some illnesses are
contagious for longer periods than others.
"If your child has or may have swine flu, you may need to keep
him or her home for a week or more, or at least until 24 hours
after the child is completely well," says Dr. Woods. "This helps
prevent the spread of the illness to others, and helps the sick
child get better faster."
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Sara Woods, M.D., is a board-certified
pediatrician at The Austin Diagnostic Clinic, a multi-specialty
clinic with more than 120 physicians representing 24 medical
specialties at six locations throughout Austin and Central
Texas. Dr. Woods sees patients at ADC South, 4315 James Casey.
Visit www.adclinic.com or
call 512-901-1111.
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