Back-to-school season is in full swing, and with it comes the likelihood that your little ones will come home with an illness.
Children are extremely susceptible to illnesses, such as colds and flu. This is because children’s immune systems are not as mature as adults, making them more likely to pick up viruses when returning to school.
It’s never nice to see your little one under the weather, whether it’s a common cold, stomach bug or the flu; that’s why Dr Corne Hurter at AXA Health has compiled a list of the most common illnesses children catch when returning to school, as well as sharing her expert advice on how you can prevent and treat illnesses when they enter your home.
Doctor shares symptoms of the five most common back-to-school illnesses
|
Illness |
Symptoms |
|
Common Cold |
Sore throat, coughing, sneezing, congestion and a high temperature |
|
Flu |
High temperature, fatigue, aches, sore throat, dry cough, headache |
|
Norovirus |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature, headaches |
|
Strep Throat |
Fever, sore throat, enlarged and red tonsils, white spots on the back of the throat, headaches, aches |
|
Chicken Pox |
Fatigue, high temperature, headache, aches, a red itchy rash over the body |
Five top tips to avoid getting ill when going back to school
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Practice good hygiene
“Teaching children the importance of covering their mouths and noses with a tissue when coughing and sneezing can minimise the spread of airborne viruses. After coughing, sneezing and using the bathroom, your child should always thoroughly wash their hands with warm water and soap. Many viruses spread through close contact and live on surfaces, so thoroughly washing your hands throughout the day reduces the chance of viruses entering your child’s body.”
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Keep up-to-date with vaccinations
“Ensure your child’s vaccinations are up to date; vaccinations can minimise the chances of your child becoming infected with viruses as their bodies have already created the antibodies to fight the virus.
Flu vaccines are available to all school-age children, so you should receive an invitation from either your GP surgery (for preschool-aged children) or their school (for primary school-aged children) regarding booking your child’s vaccination.”
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Avoid further spreading viruses
“For illnesses such as chicken pox, which is extremely contagious, keep your child at home until the symptoms have subsided and the rash is no longer present on their body to reduce the risk of further spreading the virus.
If the school makes you aware that your child has suffered from a virus, you should keep your child off school for 24 hours.
If your child has a common cold, they are fine to return to school if they feel well; however, with illnesses such as norovirus and chicken pox, your child will need to remain off school until the symptoms have passed”
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Embrace fresh air
“Ventilation of fresh air can help build immunity within children, as being outdoors and exposed to nature has been shown to improve some of the ways our immune system works. Ventilating your home with clean fresh air as well as spending time outside can help to protect us against infectious illnesses or reduce the severity of these illnesses.
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Maintain a healthy balanced diet
“Ensuring that your child is eating a healthy and balanced diet can minimise the chances of them getting unwell when returning to school. Eating a balanced and healthy diet will not only help your child’s development but also ensure your child receives the proper nutrients to strengthen their immunity and reduce the risk of them becoming unwell with viruses and infections. Your child should be eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, protein, carbohydrates and dairy (or dairy alternatives).“
How to relieve your child’s symptoms
Dr Corne Hurter shares her expertise on how you can relieve your child’s symptoms to make them feel more comfortable when they are unwell.
“When your child is unwell with a virus such as the common cold or flu, allowing them time to rest enables their body to not only focus on fighting the virus but also recover.
When children become unwell, there is an increased risk of dehydration, especially with symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. Therefore, keeping your child’s fluid levels up is crucial when they are unwell. If your child is struggling to drink clear fluids such as water, consider ice lollies or other drinks or food they may be willing to try. These can help boost their hydration levels.
Pain relief, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, can be administered to your child if their symptoms are upsetting to them; however, always follow the dosage instructions for your child as per the packet.
When your child is unwell, keep meals bland to avoid upsetting their stomach, but food is important, so the priority is for them to eat or drink whatever they are prepared to, to keep their energy levels up. If your child is struggling to keep their food down, try small amounts of easily digestible foods such as toast, crackers and apple sauce.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid colds and viruses as they’re so prevalent in schools and nurseries. As children are more susceptible to bringing illnesses home as we head back to school, practising good hygiene and giving children the right routines can give them (and the family) the best chance of avoiding picking things up.”
