Kids Are Back to School, and So Are Germs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Health Optimal in Jupiter

Summer is officially over. As kids and families step away from the sun and the warmth it brings, they start their yearly preparations for the back-to-school season.

Soon, kids will flock back to the hallways of school and huddle together inside the four walls of learning. But before that, parents must prepare their kids so they are ready to meet new people, make new friends, and learn new things.

New school supplies and new clothes aren’t the only things worth preparing for the new school year. To truly get children ready for school, parents must prepare their health and get them in their best shape so they stay healthy in school.

Germs are all around and can easily spread with so many kids in close proximity with each other, which makes it more crucial than ever to take proactive steps and teach your kids how they can stay safe from germs.

COVID, Flu, and RSV in Palm Beach County

Earlier this year, The Palm Beach Post reported that three respiratory illnesses – COVID, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – were spreading again throughout Palm Beach County in Florida.

Cases of the three respiratory illnesses rose throughout December last year. This is mostly brought on by the holidays – people are coming home from holidays and friends or families have been lax about health regulations as they reunited throughout the holidays.

People of all ages, from young children to older adults may contract any of the viruses.

What This Means for Back-To-School Season

While we are past the spike in the number of respiratory cases in Palm Beach County, parents and school administrators shouldn’t be too lax about it either, especially with kids swarming back to school soon.

A classroom full of children is susceptible to the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria that can cause different illnesses. When we relax too much and forget about the safety precautions that should be in place, outbreaks can easily occur, impacting children’s health and ability to stay in school to learn.

Teaching schoolchildren the dangers of germs and passing them around to friends will go a long way to keeping them safe and healthy throughout the rest of the school year.

5 Ways to Keep Kids in Optimal Health for School

Schoolchildren are especially susceptible to contracting germs and viruses as they spend most of their days in classrooms with other students. Taking proactive measures into your own hands will help keep these kids safe and away from the risk of dangerous illnesses. Here are 5 ways you can keep your kids in optimal health for school:

1. Teach kids the importance of frequent hand washing

Frequent hand washing is a very effective way to stop the spread of germs and viruses, especially in close quarters like classrooms.

Teach kids to always wash their hands before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, after recess, and after touching or using shared items. Proper hand washing should last for at least 20 seconds. Make this fun for young children and tell them to sing two ‘Happy Birthday’ songs twice from start to finish.

2. Discourage them from sharing personal items

Respiratory illnesses like COVID, flu, and RSV spread through saliva or droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person.

Teach children to never share personal items that come in contact with their mouths (like water bottles and utensils). This is a fast way to spread the virus around from one child to another.

Buy your child their own supplies for personal use, label them, and teach them to not lend them out to others.

3. Keep vaccines up to date before school starts

Your child’s number-one defense against a slew of diseases is vaccination. Before school starts, ensure that their vaccinations are up-to-date. Look into RSV, COVID, and flu vaccines and start there as your basics. These three respiratory illnesses are very common and highly contagious so you will want the maximum protection for your child.

4. Boost immunity with enough sleep and a proper diet

Further strengthen your child’s defenses against germs and viruses by boosting their immune system.

Make sure they are on a regular and healthy diet of proteins, fruits, and vegetables. This will give their body the nutrients it needs to fight off diseases. Hydration is also very important so teach them to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Additionally, make sure they get enough sleep every night:

• 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5-year-old children
• 9 to 12 hours for 6 to 12-year-old children
• 8 to 10 hours for 13 to 18-year-old teens

5. Know the common symptoms of respiratory illnesses

Lastly, it would be extremely beneficial to know the symptoms of the three common respiratory illnesses so you can easily spot them in your child.

Common COVID symptoms:

• Breathing difficulties
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever or chills
• Congestion and/or runny nose
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Common flu symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Congestion and/or runny nose
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

Common RSV symptoms:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Congestion and/or runny nose
• Fever
• Lack of energy
• Decreased appetite
• Lack of interest in playing (in babies and young children)

Conclusion: Don’t Let Kids Get Sick Easily

A classroom full of children is an especially dangerous place for spreading and passing around germs, viruses, and bacteria that can cause illnesses and hospitalization.

Even in the absence of reported outbreaks, it’s important not to become complacent. Educating children—regardless of their age—about the dangers of germs and the importance of preventing their spread will help them maintain optimal health throughout the school year.