Preventative Illness Tips for Children Going Back to School

It's time for school again, and you know what that means. It's also time for colds, coughs and other maladies to start. Because kids are now in an enclosed space in close proximity to one another, germs have a much easier time finding their way from one person to the next.

The start of the year is usually marked by a sharp increase in illness in students. This is also because their immune systems are not as strong as adults. But, of course, you want to know - how can I prevent my child from becoming sick, or at least, spreading it to other students?

Hand Washing

For children, it seems, it's one of the hardest things to remember, and yet it's probably the easiest way to stay healthy. When should a child wash their hands?

• After using the bathroom
• Before eating
• After blowing their nose
• After playing outside

A good rule of thumb is to soap up the hands and the wrists with warm to hot water for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song two times over. This has proven to be effective in removing virus germs.

No Sharing

Contrary to what we all learn in school, the sharing of personal items, at least, such as water bottles, combs, brushes, eye makeup, food and other personal items, is simply a bad idea. Even more clearly, if the object has gone or goes into the child's mouth, there should be absolutely no sharing of that item.

Cough and Sneeze into a Tissue or Elbow Crook

The crook of the elbow has a larger surface area than a hand with fingers that can spread out and let all of the germs through. Children should learn at a young age that when they need to cough or sneeze, they should do it into the crook of their elbow or into a tissue, which they should promptly throw into the garbage can and then wash their hands.

Use Hand Sanitizer

Alcohol-based sanitizer does the best job in eliminating virus germs. However, there have been numerous cases against children using this type of hand sanitizer due to the alcohol severely drying out the skin or even the child ingesting the sanitizer. Alcohol-free sanitizers are a safer and still effective option. According to the CDC, however, hand sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol, so children under the age of six should only use it under supervision.

Keep Hands Out of Eyes and Mouth

This one is hard for kids and probably what gets most of them sick. If you can teach (and train) your kids to keep their hands and fingers out of their eyes and mouth, it will go a long way in preventing illness as this is one of the most common ways for germs to enter the body.

Germs Love Play Dates

If you know that one of your children's friends is sick, don't allow them to have a play date or sleepover with them. Being in such close proximity and sharing toys and other items is bound to get your child sick.

Bring their own Pencil Box

At school, kids are constantly sharing things like erasers, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, etc. Make sure your child has their own pencil box so they won't have to borrow someone else's supplies. Pack a few mechanical pencils in the pencil box, too, as the class pencil sharpener can be a hotbed of germs.

Be Proactive

School is a time for learning and schedules. Make sure your child gets enough sleep, goes to bed at a certain time every night and gets up at a certain time every morning. Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast and are having healthy lunches and snacks at school. Keep them hydrated with water bottles throughout the day. Always stay current on vaccinations, including the flu vaccine every year.

Involve the Entire Family

Of course, if one person is doing all of these things and the rest of the family isn't, people are going to get sick. Make sure the entire family joins in on all of these tips so that as a whole, the family can prevent illness together.

Dr. Donna Sergi is a leading Brooklyn Chiropractor and Practitioner of Nutrition Response Testing. Learn more by visiting her website at: http://www.healthieruny.com