The start of each school year brings a season of colds and flu and other illnesses that could keep your child out of the classroom. Although you probably can’t avoid them all, you can encourage your children to develop hygiene habits that will keep them healthy all year.
Dr. Julie Henderson, a pediatrician at Summit Health, part of VillageMD in Rye, said to help your kids avoid getting sick, encourage frequent hand washing, which can stop germs from making it into their system in the first place. (A container of antibacterial soap attached to a backpack could go a long way.)
Give each child a reusable water bottle to avoid drinking from public fountains, where germs can linger, and make sure your child is getting enough sleep, which boosts the immune system and makes them better able to ward off infection.
In addition, be sure your child’s vaccines are up to date.
Henderson suggests wearing a mask, even if it is not required in a given situation, to protect immediate family members who are immunocompromised.
“Masking with a high-quality mask is an effective way to prevent the spread of these respiratory illnesses,” she said. “In general, many people at this point have chosen to stop masking when they’re in public or in schools. I think it’s an individual decision between the kids and the parents.”
But even with all of those precautions, parents should be prepared for the illnesses that are already popping up around town.
“We’re definitely going to see a return of the ‘fall viruses,’” Henderson said. “We’re already seeing more COVID over the past couple of weeks, which at this point we’re treating similarly to other respiratory viruses, per CDC recommendation.
“As the school year progresses, we expect to see other respiratory viruses, which include things like rhinovirus, RSV, and then later in the fall we’ll be seeing the flu — likely sometime in October.”
If your child is coughing, has a runny nose or fever and congestion, keep them home from school to allow them to rest and to avoid spreading their illness to others.
When the symptoms stop or their fever breaks for over 24 hours, she says, they can return to their normal activities.
Aside from physical health, safeguard your child’s mental health this school year.
“Many kids and teenagers are much more open to discussing their mental health and accepting help regarding it, which is a big positive,” Henderson said. “And I find that a lot more parents are also open to these discussions as well.”
Although symptoms of mental health issues may be more difficult to spot, they can present as physical signs first, Henderson said. Watch for changes in mood or behavior, changes in sleep patterns, stomachaches and headache, all of which can suggest anxiety or stress.
“Everybody — kids and adults — we all sometimes just need a break and some time to recoup,” Henderson said, noting a “mental health day” is not a bad idea for school kids. “So I think that’s something that the parents and the child can come to a shared decision about.”
But if after taking a break, the symptoms continue, consult your child’s doctor. You may need a referral to a mental health professional, though that can present its own difficulties.
“The one thing that continues to be a challenge is access to therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, just because there aren’t enough of these providers to meet the demand of all of these kids, so this ends up leading to longer wait times and limited availability,” Henderson said. “Another challenge is that a lot of therapists and psychologists aren’t covered by insurance and can be really costly.
“Pediatricians can be helpful in identifying kids who seem to be at risk for mental health disorders.”
Check in with your child throughout the school year.
“See how they’re feeling, ask them how their day was,” Henderson said. “But, if parents have any questions or concerns, they can always reach out to their pediatrician as well.”