Back-to-School Germs - Some to Avoid and How

Back to school means shared germs and often shared sickness. With so much contact with other children it seems it is inevitable our children will end up sick, meaning lost days at school and lost time at work for parents. Staying active all year long and maintaining a healthy weight helps a healthy immune system fight sickness. Walking whenever possible instead of riding is a good example. Children need rest (between 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night) and nourishing meals and snacks for a healthy immune system. Here are some preventive measures that can be taken before and during the school year.

Hand washing of number one importance:

Simply washing our hands and teaching our children to do the same can prevent numerous germs, viruses and bacteria from infecting our families. Children need to be taught the proper method of washing. Teaching a child to say the ABC's while washing hands will give the proper length of time, for example. Children should be taught to always wash their hands before leaving a public restroom (most adults say they do, but don't) and to turn faucets off and open doors with disposable towels upon exiting the room. Wash hands BEFORE eating, inserting or removing contact lenses, handling or serving food. Wash hands AFTER using the restroom, blowing the nose, sneezing, or coughing, touching an animal, handling garbage or touching community items as toys, pencils or objects passed around the classroom. Teach children to cough or sneeze into the crook of their arm, rather than in their hands.

Immunizations up to date:

Healthy children are immunized children for hepatitis B, Heamophilus influenza type b (Hib), polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DPT), measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and chickenpox. Check with local state and school requirements in your area.

Head lice - Mom guess what I brought home?

Head lice have long been thought of as a sign of poor hygiene and there is no justification for this stigma. Anyone with hair can get head lice. Adult lice live 23 to 30 days and the female can lay 110 to 400 eggs during this time! There are compounds available for treatment of head lice (follow instructions closely). It is important to do everything possible to prevent the initial infestation. The best way to avoid spreading lice at school is to discourage sharing hats and coats and to encourage young children to store their winter head wear and scarves in the sleeves of their own coats. Combs and brushes should never be shared. Doll combs and brushes should be removed since smaller children are tempted to try them out. Girls with long hair are encouraged to keep their hair in a ponytail or braids.

Impetigo:

Impetigo often appears on the face between the nose and upper lip after a cold and can be spread to other parts of the body. Impetigo is passed on to others through direct contact with the moist discharge of the blisters or lesions. To prevent impetigo, be sure to wash all scratches, cuts, bites and sores with soap and water. If your child has a runny nose, keep the area between the nose and upper lip clean to prevent infection. Also keep fingernails short and clean.

Pinkeye:

Pinkeye, an inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids and eyeballs, can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergies, pollution or other irritants. Adolescents often transmit the infection by sharing eye makeup. To prevent pinkeye, keep hands thoroughly washed, do not share towels, washcloths, or handkerchief's. Do not share eye makeup.

Conclusion:

Keeping our children healthy and in school throughout the school year can often be a challenge. We cannot protect them from everything but using common sense and prevention goes a long way. Healthy children make good learners.

Sources:
http://healthandfitness.sympatico.msn.ca/Bell.Sympatico.CMS/Print.aspx?type=feed〈=
http://www.redding.com/news/2007/Sep/3/healthy-habits/
http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/Health_Education_Rural_Outreach/Health_Hints/1998/July-Aug
http://www.canadianliving.com/health/prevention/keeping_kids_healthy_at_school_2.php