Now that school's in session, kids can bring home a whole bunch of nasty germs. We've got the best ways to keep your family healthy.
You expect your child to come back from school with stories about his day, a few worksheets, and maybe a nice art project. But he might also tote in something far less appealing, like a cough, a fever, or a head full of lice. "When kids are in close contact, it's inevitable that they'll infect one another," says Kathryn Edwards, M.D., professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville.
Vaccines can help fend off the heavy hitters, like chicken pox and the measles. As for the rest: Sending your kid to class wearing surgical gloves and a mask may sound tempting, but it's not exactly practical. Instead, learn to spot the most common home invaders—listed on the following pages in order of prevalence—and teach your child some simple, preventive hygiene tricks. These won't guarantee he'll stay 100 percent germ-free, but they'll go surprisingly far toward limiting those lying-on-the-couch sick days.
Colds
Everyone's familiar with the telltale signs: runny nose, sneezing, coughing. Colds are the most common illness among kids—nearly 22 million school days are lost to them each year, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How they spread Germs go flying in tiny droplets when a sick child sneezes or coughs. They can also be passed along when she wipes her nose and then grabs a toy or a pencil—and another kid picks it up.
Keep it away Tell your child to avoid touching her face or rubbing her eyes or nose (key routes for cold viruses to enter the body), and teach her to wash her hands thoroughly with soap. One way to do it: Sprinkle cinnamon on her fingers so she can see how much scrubbing it takes to remove the spice, suggests Linda Davis-Alldritt, R.N., president of the National Association of School Nurses. Also, ask about the school's hygiene policy: Kids should wash their hands after gym and recess and before lunch and snacktime. (Studies show repeated hand-washing can reduce the chance of catching a cold.) If she's getting sick, teach her the "vampire" move: "Tell her to cough or sneeze into her elbow, like Dracula with his cloak," says Davis-Alldritt.
Knock it out Unfortunately, there's still no cure for the common cold. But you can ease your child's discomfort. Have her drink plenty of water and clear fluids to stay hydrated, and relieve her congestion by giving her saline nose drops or using a humidifier. Cold meds aren't safe for children under age 6; consult with your doctor before giving one to your older child.
Influenza
The flu is a debilitating respiratory illness that will keep your child out of school—and in bed—for a few days to a week. He'll likely have chills, a fever, extreme fatigue, body aches, and possibly a stuffy nose or a cough.
How it spreads Flu viruses are especially contagious and can be transmitted both through the air and by touch. A child can be infectious for a full day before he shows signs of illness.
Keep it away Getting a flu shot or nasal vaccine is by far the best weapon. They're not 100 percent effective, so it's possible your child will still get sick, but his symptoms will be less severe and he'll be less likely to suffer from complications, such as pneumonia, than if he wasn't vaccinated.
Knock it out If your child has had symptoms for less than 48 hours, his doctor may prescribe Tamiflu, an antiviral medication that can speed recovery. Otherwise, he needs plenty
of rest and liquids.
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of rest and liquids.
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