New school year, new germs: How to manage back-to-school illnesses

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The new school year is full of new things: new teachers, new schedules, new backpacks, new classmates... and new germs! Diseases, infections and illnesses are practically inevitable for your children, who spend their days surrounded by dozens of friends. In fact, it is perfectly normal for your young child or teenager to be sick six to eight times a year, from respiratory illnesses to stomach upsets! Phew!

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How to limit the transmission of germs and viruses at school

Although it's virtually impossible to ward off germs in the classroom, the key to dealing with illnesses spread at school lies first and foremost in prevention. 

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Washing your hands properly

A good starting point is to remind your children of basic good hygiene habits. 

Help them develop the habit of washing their hands: 

• After sneezing or blowing their nose
• After touching door handles, desks and handrails
• After using the toilet
• Before and after eating
• After recess

Since it's not always possible for children to go to the toilet frequently to wash their hands, clip a small bottle of hand sanitizer to your child's backpack and/or give them a bottle to keep at their desk. For more information on proper hand washing, see our blog article on the subject!

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Coughing into your elbow

It's especially important to teach children this habit while they are very young Just as they need to learn to cough into their elbow and sneeze into a tissue, it's just as important for your child to encourage their friends at school to do the same. If coughing and sneezing are rampant at school, you might also consider having your child wear a mask.

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Boosting the immune system

Since back-to-school often brings its share of illnesses, having a strong immune system is more vital than ever. Many factors influence how strong our immune system is, but certain habits can absolutely help!

Nutrition plays a major role in boosting the immune system and helping to prevent colds and flu. That being said, make sure to include essential micronutrients such as fruit and vegetables, milk, salmon, eggs, legumes, seeds, yoghurt, etc. in your child's lunch and snacks. Water is also our simplest and often most overlooked ally. Good hydration supports all the functions of the body, including the immune system. 

To have a robust immune system ready to tackle germs and viruses at school, your child needs to get enough sleep! During sleep, the body regenerates and produces immune cells such as T lymphocytes that help fight infections and other diseases. Lack of sleep can affect the way the immune system works and expose our bodies to various health issues.

How many hours of sleep should your child get each night? According to the Government of Canada: 

9 to 11 hours of sleep per night for children aged 5 to 13

8 to 10 hours of sleep per night for children aged 14 to 17

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Reducing back-to-school stress

Stress can have an impact on your child's health and well-being, as chronic stress can weaken their immune system. To help children manage the stress and anxiety often associated with going back to school, you can : 

• Ask them about their day and invite them to confide in you.
• Maintain a good, stable schedule at home, including a fixed bedtime routine.
• Practise abdominal breathing with them, so that they breathe in gently through their nose while inflating their belly, and breathe out gently through their mouth, as if they were blowing out a candle. 
• Give them some control over different aspects of their school days, such as letting them choose their own clothes or snacks.
• Give them plenty of free time and time to play after school.

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How to prepare for illness during the school year

While there's no magic pill to prevent children from getting sick, there are things you can do to help you prepare for the inevitable: 

• Prescriptions. If your child takes medication on a regular basis, be sure to have it renewed and ask for extra. This way, if necessary, you'll have one at home and one at school (or as a back-up in case it gets lost).
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• Vaccinations. Make sure your child's vaccines are up to date. 
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• Arsenal at home. Be prepared in case your child shows signs of a cold or flu: caffeine-free herbal teas, drinks with electrolytes in case of fever, nasal wash with saline solution, antipyretics (ex.: acetaminophen such as Tylenol), etc. Remember that Health Canada recommends against the use of cough and cold medicines in children under the age of six, and that they be used with caution in children aged six and over.
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• Babysitters on-hand. Prevent the spread of viruses! If your child has a fever, a contagious disease (strep, chickenpox, measles, etc.), vomiting or diarrhoea, don't send them to school. Have a plan in advance if your young child has to stay at home with an adult (such as working from home or having a grandparent or someone else ready to take over).
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• Access to healthcare. It may not always be necessary to see a doctor, especially for a cold or flu. However, if you need to seek care and your child does not have a doctor or his or her doctor is not available, you can count on Bonjour-santé. You can do a free search at any time for a walk-in appointment for a minor emergency at bonjour-sante.ca, or subscribe to Bonjour-santé. With a family membership, you can quickly chat with a nurse or pharmacist via e-consult, or quickly find an emergency pediatric appointment.

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