When classrooms fill up again, children might not only bring back homework but also potential illnesses. According to experts, adopting healthy habits such as getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, and consuming nutritious foods can help students avoid getting sick and stop the spread of illnesses during this back-to-school period.
The sounds of laughter echoing through school hallways when students return can quickly transform into a chorus of coughs, sniffles, and sneezes. Health professionals suggest that immunizations are a practical starting point for tackling what some call the “back-to-school plague.”
“It’s important to keep your child home when they’re displaying symptoms of a contagious illness,” said Emily Wines, BSN, RN, school nurse at Tecumseh Public Schools. “If they show signs of fever, rash, uncontrolled cough, or vomiting/diarrhea, please do not send them to school.”
The beginning of the school year can alter students’ sleep routines and elevate their daily stressors, weakening their immune defenses against illnesses.
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as ensuring adequate sleep and consuming nutritious foods, enhances the immune system’s ability to fight illnesses.
“Regular hand washing is also crucial to prevent the spread of germs,” said Wines. “This practice can contribute to maintaining the health of your younger children and preventing the transmission of illnesses between students, schools, and homes.”
Establishing a routine for your kids before the first day of school is recommended, and implementing one is still possible.