With back-to-school season almost here, there's lots of pressure to make sure your kids have all their supplies on hand. However, another thing you have to look out for is potential illness. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, almost 6% of students aged 5 to 17 had chronic absenteeism in school due to illness, injury or disability. Even kids who don’t have chronic absenteeism can miss a day or two because they catch something in the classroom.
Dr. Markyia Nichols, practicing physician and chief medical officer at Ciba Health, says there are more than 200 different cold viruses, and they mutate constantly. Fortunately, according to the doctors we consulted, there are some things parents and caregivers can do to prevent illness when kids head back to the school.
1. Increase hand washing
Every doctor we consulted about helping kids stay healthy in school said their top advice is to ensure students wash their hands often and thoroughly. Dr. Nicole Levine explains, "Regular hand washing with soap and water is crucial because it physically removes germs and pathogens from the skin.” Make sure kids are washing their hands for at least 20 seconds or as long as it takes them to sing Happy Birthday.
Kids should wash their hands:
Before eating
After using the restroom
After petting an animal
After playing outside
After playing with community toys
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