0
0
As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to make sure your child is as prepared as possible as they ingles pharmacy head back to their elementary, middle, or high school for the first time this year. Don’t forget to include your child’s health on the back-to-school list as you go through it to get them ready for the new school year.
For kids (and their parents! ), returning to school can be both exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking. These days, there is a lot to think about, not just who they will sit with for lunch. They’ll also want to know about viruses and germs and how to stay healthy all year, so they can keep being their best.
Expert Meghan Fels, DO, a pediatrician at Banner Health Clinic in Greeley, CO, discussed some of the best things parents can do to help their children prevent the spread of germs and ensure a successful start to the school year.
How to prevent your child from getting sick this school year
- Adopt good hygiene practices, Dr. Fels advised, “First get down to the basics and discuss with your child the importance of good hygiene and simple ways they can help stop unwanted germs and viruses from spreading.”
You can practice the following together:
Learn how to do the vampire or dab-like sneeze. Keep your hands away from your face (gross!). Instead, practice sneezing with your elbow bent or even inside your shirt to prevent sneezing droplets from spreading.
Throw away one tissue each time you use it. Every time you cough, sneeze, or catch any mucus, use a new tissue and discard it in a lined trash can. A trail of tissues in a child’s room is not something that a parent or teacher wants to see in their classroom.
Use soap and water to wash your hands often. Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing or blowing your nose. Using soap and warm water and rubbing your hands together for a full 20 seconds is the best way to wash your hands. Dr. Fels stated, “It can be helpful to sing a favorite song, your ABCs, or happy birthday a couple of times to make sure you get the full 20 seconds.” Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, however, if hand washing is not an option.
Do not touch your face. At least 23 times per hour, it is estimated that people touch their faces (ugh!). Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth to help prevent infections, especially during the harris teeter pharmacy COVID-19 and flu seasons. Why? because gross germs that cause respiratory infections can easily get through your mucous membranes.
In class, don’t share scissors, markers, or crayons. Despite the fact that “sharing is caring” is a common saying, germs can also be spread. Make sure your child knows to wash their hands after using supplies that they must share.
- Eat a well-balanced diet Children, whether they are preschoolers or seniors in high school, should eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to stay healthy. Try a new color each week and teach your children to eat “the rainbow.” Vitamins, antioxidants, and substances that boost immunity are abundant in vibrant vegetables and fruits.
You may wonder if your child should take vitamins to improve their health if they are vegetarian, avoid dairy, or eat irregularly. Vitamins may be beneficial, but they are not always required.
Dr. Fels stated, “Certain vitamins, like vitamin D, have been shown to be beneficial in preventing respiratory infection and protecting your immune system, but you don’t need additional vitamins if you’re eating a well-balanced diet.” You can supplement vitamin D if your child does not get enough from food. For children over the age of one, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 600 IU per day.
- Maintain adequate hydration When it comes to maintaining your child’s health, hydration must play a significant role. According to Dr. Fels, dehydration can result in headaches, lightheadedness, sleepiness, and poor learning in children.
A breakdown of how much your child should drink daily was provided by Dr. Fels:
1 to 3 years old: 3 to 4 cups milk and water; 4 to 7 years old: 5 cups milk and water; 8 years old: 8 cups milk and water. Go shopping with your child to find a water bottle that they like to carry and keep at their desk all day. If they don’t like water, sweeten it with a pineapple slice to add flavor.
- Get plenty of sleep, Dr. Fels said. “Sleep is the foundation for growth, learning, and play.” It has the power to heal our minds and bodies. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that children with adequate sleep have better mental health, a stronger immune system, and superior academic performance.
Read this informative article to learn how much sleep your child should get each night. Talk to your child’s doctor if they’re having trouble sleeping to find out what’s going on underneath and make a plan for sleeping.
- When you’re sick, staying home is an important way to prevent the spread of viruses and germs. Every morning before they go to school, keep an eye on your child to see how they are doing and feeling.
Dr. Fels stated, “There are multiple conditions that can present similarly, including viral respiratory infections, viral stomach bugs, strep throat, and pneumonia.” Even if your child doesn’t have a fever, don’t force them to go to school if they are too ill.
If they exhibit any of the following symptoms, keep them home from school and contact their physician if symptoms do not improve:
any fever of 100.4 or higher, coughing, loss of taste, or smell, headache, sore throat, vomiting/diarrhea, or runny nose that can’t be controlled, a known exposure to an illness, like COVID-19 (Follow the CDC’s guidelines for quarantining) 6, or any of the following symptoms Vaccinations are the best way to safeguard yourself, your children, and others from illness because the best defense is a strong offense. Make sure your child is up to date on all of their vaccinations or inquire about the vaccination schedule with your child’s doctor.
Dr. Fels stated, “It’s important to stay up to date on all immunizations, including the flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, and meningitis vaccine, if eligible.” Vaccines not only aid in the prevention of fatal infections, hospitalization, and serious infections, but they also stop the spread of illness at home to those who may be immunocompromised and at risk for infection complications, as well as to members of our community.
If you follow these suggestions, you might be able to cut down on the number of illnesses in your family or how long they last. Contact your child’s doctor if you have any additional inquiries, or visit bannerhealth.com to locate a Banner Health specialist who can assist you.
