During the busy back-to-school season, life can be stressful. Having a sick child or parent can increase the strain on any family. Indoor spaces such as schools can be a breeding ground for contagious illnesses. Between young children who don’t practice proper hygiene and having to be in the classroom 5 days a week, it is no surprise that illnesses can spread like wildfire within schools. With the back-to-school season upon us, you may be wondering whether there are any steps that you can take to prevent your child from getting sick this fall. Keep reading to learn about how illnesses spread in the classroom and illness prevention tips to keep your family healthy this fall.
If you or your child are feeling sick, you can count on AFC Urgent Care Stoneham. Our walk-in clinic provides rapid illness diagnosis and treatment for patients of all ages - all on a walk-in basis. We maintain short wait times and have extended business hours from 8am-8pm so that you can get the care that you need. Simply walk into the clinic!
Why Do Illnesses Spread So Quickly In Schools?
Back-to-school time has always been a peak illness season. A common misconception of this trend is that fall illnesses are caused by the sudden change from hot summer weather to cooler fall weather. Although this change can impact your body and weaken your immune system, changes in the weather cannot make you sick. Illnesses are infections that are caused by a pathogen.
Illnesses spread quickly in schools for a few different reasons. Firstly, children tend to not follow strict hygiene practices. Young children particularly may not have mastered proper hand washing techniques which can result in them spreading illnesses by touching surfaces with dirty hands. Similarly, children in school use a lot of common spaces. Touching the same desks, door handles, and classroom materials as other children exposes them to any pathogens that may have been planted there by someone who is sick. The increased stress of returning to school and getting into a more strenuous routine may also have an impact on their body and weaken their immune system, leaving them more susceptible to getting sick.
Tips to Prevent Your Child From Getting Sick
During the busy back-to-school season, illnesses are sometimes inevitable. Although this may not be what you as a parent want to hear, it is the truth. There are so many circumstances at school that are out of your control and could result in your child getting sick. Despite this, there are some things you should keep in mind to better prepare your child for the back-to-school season which could lessen their chances of getting sick.
Teach proper hygiene: Teaching your child how to properly wash their hands and when they should wash their hands will help reduce the risk of them picking up a pathogen that could make them sick.
Remind them not to touch their face: In most cases, a pathogen like a bacteria or virus needs to enter into your respiratory system to infect you. If your child touches something that is contaminated and then touches their face, it could result in the pathogen entering their respiratory system.
Allowing them to stay home if they’re sick: There are a variety of pressures both as a parent and for the student when you let your child stay home. However, if your child is sick they could get others sick so keeping your child home until their symptoms resolve is the right thing to do.
Walk Into AFC Stoneham for Same-Day Illness Treatment for the Whole Family
If your child is sick, seeking medical care early is key to ensuring that they do not worsen or spread their illness to others. Bacteria and viruses have to be treated differently, so it is important to determine what is causing your child’s symptoms and how to best manage them. At AFC Urgent Care Stoneham, our clinic provides illness care for patients of all ages. We maintain short wait times and have extended business hours so that your child can get the care that they need when it’s convenient. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care. Simply walk into the clinic, or call the clinic directly for more information at (781) 279-4000.
