Kids Are Back to School, and So Are Germs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Health Optimal in West Palm Beach
The exciting time of summer vacation is slowly but surely coming to an end. Families on vacation are home and slowly getting back to their normal routines. But as we bid farewell to warm days under the sun, we are entering another exciting time for parents and kids: back-to-school season.
As kids swarm back to the hallways and classrooms of schools, there is one guest no one will be happy to see: germs.
As schools welcome back students, so do germs, viruses, and bacteria that can cause various illnesses that can, unfortunately, lead to children’s hospitalizations.
It’s essential more than ever to do what it takes to keep children safe and healthy as they go back to school.
A Trio of Respiratory Viruses Made the Rounds Across Palm Beach County
Earlier this year, CBS12 News reported that a trio of respiratory illnesses – flu, COVID, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – made rounds across Palm Beach County. The spike was mostly due to the holidays when families were slowly getting home from vacations. There is also the factor people have become more lax on health precautions as they reunite with friends and family over the holidays.
While the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) reported that COVID-19 cases were significantly down compared to the previous rise, there was a significant rise in the number of flu and RSV infections.
Additionally, Florida has a longer RSV season than the rest of the country due to its more tropical and humid climate. FDOH has come up with 5 distinct RSV seasons in the Florida state divided by region:
- Northwest Florida - October to April
- North Florida - September to March
- Central Florida - August to March
- Southeast Florida - January to December
- Southwest Florida - September to April
With multiple students huddled together in the same space, schools are susceptible to respiratory outbreaks. And when kids are not taught the dangers of germs and how to prevent their spread, it puts them more at risk.
5 Ways to Keep Kids in Optimal Health for School
Getting sick can get in the way of students' learning. As school starts, you would want to keep kids in optimal health – and here are 5 ways to do it effectively:
1. Teach children the importance of frequent hand washing
Hand washing is a very simple and non-time-consuming way to get rid of germs and viruses – it only takes 20 seconds (or two ‘Happy Birthday’ songs).
Children should be washing their hands before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, after playtime, and after using shared items.
2. Make sure vaccinations are up to date before school starts
Before school officially starts back up, ensure that your child has up-to-date vaccinations. This will be your child’s number-one defense against getting sick. Start with COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines and go from there. These three are highly contagious and very common.
3. Refrain from sharing personal items
Saliva and droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person are vessels for spreading germs and viruses. Teach your kids to never share or borrow personal items like utensils and water bottles.
When buying your child these items for their personal use, label them and instruct them to never lend them out.
4. Boost children’s immunity system
Aside from vaccines, a strong immunity system will protect your child from germs and illness-causing viruses and bacteria.
Keeping them in a healthy and consistent diet of proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables will give their bodies the nutrients they need to fight off germs and viruses.
Additionally, school children should get enough sleep to stay healthy. Consider these recommendations from the American Academy of Sleep:
- 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5-year-olds
- 9 to 12 hours for 6 to 12-year-olds
- 8 to 10 hours for 13 to 18-year-olds
Hydration is also an essential part of staying healthy so help kids make a habit of drinking plenty of water.
5. Know the common symptoms of respiratory illnesses
Lastly, knowing the symptoms of the three common respiratory viruses will help you detect them early should your child get them.
Common RSV symptoms:
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Runny nose or congestion
- Lack of energy and decreased appetite
- Lack of interest in playing, commonly seen in babies and children
Common flu symptoms:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fever or chills
- Runny nose or congestion
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea, commonly seen in children
Common COVID symptoms:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Difficulty in breathing
- Runny nose or congestion
- Fever or chills
- Loss of taste or smell
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Fatigue
Conclusion: Don’t Let Germs and Viruses Impact Your Child’s Learning
A school full of unsuspecting children is a breathing ground for germs and viruses to multiply and spread from one kid to another. While you can’t be with your child 24/7 in school, it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to protect them and ensure they are in optimal health.
Just because there isn't an active outbreak of respiratory illnesses doesn't mean we can let our guard down. The risk of your child getting sick still exists. That's why it's essential for parents to take proactive measures to shield their children from germs and viruses that could disrupt their learning.
