Protect Your Family from Back-to-School Sickness

Returning to school is a hectic but rewarding time for parents. It’s exciting to watch your child grow and achieve developmental milestones, make new friends and meet a new teacher. But the back-to-school season can also be a time of concern for parents, as a return to the classroom may mean exposure to common childhood illnesses.

As parents, we hate to see our babies sick, no matter their age. We also know that when our kids are sick, it can affect the entire family. How can you keep your children as healthy as possible? Is COVID-19 over and does your child need an updated COVID-19 vaccine? How can you prepare for all this school year will bring?

As a mom and family practice physician who cares for all ages, here is my advice for helping prepare your kids to share smiles and toys without sharing germs this school year.

What Are the Most Common Back-to-School Illnesses?

Childhood illnesses are a reality. These include the common cold, gastroenteritis (stomach flu), strep throat, influenza, hand-foot-mouth disease and even common infestations like head lice. All of these tend to be more common once children are back in school and surrounded by new classmates. Here are seven of the most common conditions kids may catch at the start of a new school year.

1. Common Cold: Common colds are the main reason kids miss school each year. They typically start with a sore throat and runny nose, followed by coughing and sneezing. Colds usually pass within seven to 10 days and, while there’s no cure, some over-the-counter medications will help ease the symptoms. Children with compromised immune systems from asthma or other respiratory illnesses may develop worse symptoms and need care from a doctor.

2. Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu): If your child is vomiting and has nausea, diarrhea and belly cramps, they may have gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. It can be caused by several infections – viral, bacterial or parasitic – that cause inflammation in the stomach and small and large intestines. Gastroenteritis usually lasts a few days and does not require medical intervention. Most children get better at home with rest and lots of fluids.

3. Strep Throat: Strep throat usually presents with a sudden sore throat. Your child may complain of pain while swallowing, develop a fever and have swollen tonsils. Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection that can spread easily among children, especially if they are sharing drinks or utensils. Your child’s physician can prescribe an antibiotic, like penicillin or amoxicillin, to decrease their symptoms and treat the illness.

4. Influenza (Flu): Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. For most people, flu symptoms come on suddenly and include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches and tiredness. Children may also experience diarrhea. Kids under 5 years old, and especially those younger than 2, are at higher risk of developing more serious flu-related complications. If you think your young child may have the flu, reach out to their doctor to discuss the best care plan.

5. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFM) is a common and contagious illness that can spread quickly at schools and daycare centers. While it most commonly impacts kids under 5 years old, anyone can get it, especially infected children’s caregivers. Symptoms include fever and flu-like symptoms, mouth sores and skin rash on your child’s palms and the soles of their feet. HFM usually isn’t serious and can be managed at home with over-the-counter medications to relieve your child’s fever and pain. It’s important to make sure they stay hydrated; water will also help relieve pain from the sores in their mouths.

6. Head Lice: Head lice are a common problem for kids. While they’re annoying and may cause your child discomfort, they aren’t particularly dangerous. Lice are tiny, wingless insects that live among human hair and feed on blood from the scalp. If you notice your child is frequently scratching their head, it’s time to look through their hair for lice. Head lice can spread very easily, especially in the classroom setting, so it’s important to treat them quickly. There are many over-the-counter lice treatments that are safe for children. You may also need to remove any remaining lice and their eggs, called nits, by hand.

7. COVID-19: While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared that the COVID-19 public health emergency is over, COVID-19 infections still happen as new variants emerge. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can feel like the common cold, influenza or even come with gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea. Families can protect themselves by eating a nutrient-rich diet, remaining active and staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Most children typically get better with rest, liquids and fever-reducing medications.

How to Protect Your Child

For most of these illnesses, your child’s greatest defense is good handwashing along with proper coughing and sneezing etiquette. These healthy habits will also help protect your child and your family against COVID-19, no matter which COVID variant is on the rise. Here are some simple strategies to help prevent the spread of illness and keep your child healthy.

• Teach your child to avoid putting their hands in their mouth or eyes.
• Teach them to cough or sneeze into a clean tissue and dispose of it properly. If they don’t have a tissue, they can cough or sneeze into the crook of their sleeve rather than their hands.
• After coughing or sneezing – or touching a surface another child may have infected – teach your child to always wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and their hands are not visibly soiled, they may use hand sanitizer under an adult’s supervision.
• As a courtesy to others, keep your child home when they are sick, especially if they have a fever.
• Follow your pediatrician’s vaccination recommendations.

What to Do If Your Child Gets Sick

Kids may get six to eight illnesses per year, and it can seem like they go from one sickness to the next. But remember, with each illness they are building up their immunity. Luckily, most common childhood illnesses will resolve on their own and can be treated with rest, TLC and plenty of fluids.

However, if your child has prolonged symptoms or fever (temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater), or a fever over 102 degrees, they may need to be seen by a physician to determine the cause. If they have an ear infection or strep throat, their doctor will need to perform a culture test to determine what bacteria is causing the illness before treating your child.

If your child doesn’t already have a primary care physician, we’ve got you covered! TMH Physician Partners – Primary Care in Bradfordville or another TMH Physician Partners – Primary Care clinic throughout the region is fully equipped to care for your little one’s needs.

To learn more or request an appointment, visit TMH.ORG/PrimaryCare or call us at 850-431-9000.

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Brittany Schafer, MD

Primary care physician at TMH Physician Partners - Primary Care