As the back-to-school season begins, kids won’t just be bringing home new school supplies and homework — they’ll also be bringing home germs. Schools are inherently known for spreading illnesses, such as colds, flu, strep throat, norovirus, and even COVID-19, as everyone is in close quarters with each other.
A report from the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention showed that in 2022, around 3 million U.S. children, or 5.8% of those aged 5–17, were chronically absent from school due to health-related issues. These numbers are concerning because of its potential long-term impact on academic performance, school engagement, and the risk of school dropout. To reduce these risks, there are a few things parents and children can do to make sure they don’t miss out.
The Rise in COVID-19 and How to Avoid it
During this summer, the United States has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, with infections expected to continue increasing as kids start to crowd their school hallways. The current dominant strains, KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, are known to be more contagious and better at evading vaccine-induced immunity than previous variants. If you feel sick or suspect you might have COVID-19, it’s important to stay home. However, being vaccinated can help you return to normal activities more quickly once your symptoms improve and you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without using medication.
Getting vaccinated and staying home when you’re sick is easier said than done, but it’s important for trying to mitigate the risk of this tricky virus. COVID-19 can spread without people even realizing it. A two-year study of over 160,000 households found that more than 70% of viral transmissions, including COVID-19, started with a child.It was also found that these pediatric transmissions dropped by 60% to 80% during school breaks, highlighting the significant role school attendance plays in the spread of the virus.
Vaccinations: A Key Line of Defense
As mentioned above, vaccinations are important to reducing the chance of getting and spreading diseases in school. Vaccines are able to reduce the transmission of illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 by 40% to 50%, and other childhood diseases like pneumococcal infections, chickenpox, and polio by even higher percentages.
There have been some growing concerns and doubts among some parents about the safety or efficacy of vaccines. If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, it’s important to seek out reliable information from trusted sources such as healthcare professionals and reputable health organizations. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, who can provide evidence-based answers and address any specific worries you might have. Educate yourself about the benefits of vaccination for your children’s health and those around you. Making an informed decision can help protect yourself and others from preventable diseases.
Good Hygiene Practices to Reduce the Spread of Illness
Vaccines are the number one way to help prevent the spread of illness, but there are other strategies to consider. The CDC issued guidelines earlier this year for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in schools, focusing on respiratory etiquette, hand-washing, and vaccination.
Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette: Proper coughing and sneezing hygiene is essential in reducing the transmission of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu. Try to encourage your children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands immediately afterward. If a tissue isn’t close by, coughing or sneezing into the elbow is the next best option.
Hand-Washing: With classrooms full of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, shared supplies, and sports equipment, proper hand-washing is very important for hygiene. It can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses and 20% of respiratory infections.
When to Keep Kids Home from School
Even if you can push through, taking a day to recover can be the best choice. One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness in schools is to keep your children home when they’re sick. Not only do sick children risk infecting their classmates, but they can also spread illness to teachers and staff, which can cause even further disruptions to your child’s education.
These tips cannot be implemented overnight. It takes practice to reinforce healthy habits that can reduce illness. Other things, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and regular physical activity, can help strengthen your child’s immune system. These practices benefit the whole family and can make a big difference in keeping everyone healthy throughout the school year.
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