New School Year, New Germs
How to Manage and Prevent Your Kids From Getting Sick This Fall
Back to school season is upon us and I can’t help but be excited! It’s a great time of year. My kids are pumped to get back to seeing their friends every day and hang out at football games.
I on the other hand would be lying if I wasn’t looking forward to some peace and quiet!! Coming back to a silent house after getting them on the bus is like beautiful music to my ears!
For the most part, getting ready for back to school is fun. I enjoy shopping for backpacks, notebooks, and new shoes.
Sadly there is one part of back-to-school season that I despise!
The Germs!!!
Nasty back-to-school illnesses are a part of growing up. Kids have to build up their immune systems so they can be healthy adults.
Did you know it’s actually normal for your child to get about 6–8 stomach bugs or respiratory illnesses every school year?
I know. That made me cringe too!
Look, we know our kids getting sick is inevitable but there are some things we can do to make it a little more tolerable.
You probably have heard some of this before but if you stick around, you might learn something new that can help your family out this fall.
Be Prepared!
We know that getting sick this fall isn’t a matter of IF but a matter of WHEN. So, being prepared for those miserable invaders can make a huge difference.
My 14+ years of mom experience have taught me to make plans with both the pediatrician and the school prior to my little ones getting sick.
It makes life so much easier!
Pediatrician Plan
- Make sure all of little Johnny’s immunizations are up to date.
- Get prescriptions for extra medications your child might need like cough medicine, etc.
- Get parameters for which symptoms require a phone call, office visit, or ER visit.
- If your child has a chronic issue, make a plan with their specialist. For example, my daughter has severe asthma so I meet with her pulmonologist every August. We make plans to increase her meds if she gets sick. I also get extra prescriptions and equipment like inhalers and nebulizers ahead of time so there is no panic when the illness strikes.
School Plan
- Fill out all paperwork ahead of time.
- Refill extra medications and keep one at the school (an inhaler for example) so your child will not have to bring it back and forth.
- Get parameters from the school nurse for when to keep your child home. For example, keep your child home when their temp is above 100.4 and do not return to school until 24 hours fever-free.
- Find out their policy for when to have a doctor’s note.
How to Prevent Getting Sick
Who am I kidding, there is no way to completely prevent getting sick. Especially in the fall when all the kids go back to school and wipe their snots and sneeze on each other.
However, there are some things that you can teach your kids to do and things you can do yourself to minimize the amount of germs you pass around.
What Your Kids Can Do
- Healthy Hand Washing!! — I know you’ve heard this 47 Million times but IT WORKS!!! Teach your kids to wash their hands properly! Scrub hands everywhere for 20 seconds (sing ABC song), rinse thoroughly, and dry well.
- Use Utensils when eating (not hands!)
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow or tissue
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth! I know this is near impossible but teach to use a tissue.
- No sharing food or drinks with friends
- Get a good night's sleep (9–12 hours per night depending on age)
What You Can Do
- Wash EVERYTHING! — Washing kills germs so wash clothing after one wear, wash pillowcases and sheets often, and wash hand towels frequently.
- Replace toothbrushes monthly or after illnesses.
- Ensure kids drink plenty of fluids
- Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily
- Keep hand sanitizer available when unable to wash hands
- Keep up to date with flu shots
- Set bedtimes for the recommended amount of sleep
- Provide nutritious meals
- Minimize stress
Prioritize Immune System
Although there is no magic button to boost our immune system, there are several things we can do to help it work efficiently. Each of the following has been found to positively affect the immune system which will help our bodies fight illness better.
Nutrition~
Maintaining a healthy diet is the most important way you can prioritize your immune system. First, limit the amount of processed foods. Then eat a diet full of fresh fruits, veggies, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein.
Fruits and veggies are packed with antioxidants that protect our cells from damage and disease. They also contain very important vitamins and minerals.
Nuts and seeds contain the plant form of omega-3 fatty acids which fight illness.
Supplements~
Typically it’s better to get vitamins from the food we eat. Supplements are not regulated in the U.S. so we are not 100% sure that it is actually what it claims.
Unfortunately due to poor diets and picky eaters, supplements are necessary at times. There are a couple of supplements that you can take that will help support your immune system.
Vitamin D is known to boost immunity. This vitamin is mostly absorbed from the sun but people are often deficient in it because of wearing sunscreen and being indoors during cold months.
Zinc is important for the immune system. Many children are low in zinc because they don’t like foods high in zinc like oysters and red meat. Be careful when giving your child a zinc supplement because it is easy to give them too much. If your child complains of nausea, vomiting, or cramping, they may be taking too much zinc.
Vitamin C is great for the immune system and can be found in most citrus fruits.
Prebiotics~
Prebiotics are plant fibers that stimulate the growth of good bacteria. Foods that include prebiotics include green bananas, jicama root, yams, and asparagus.
Probiotics~
Help create a better balance of healthy vs. unhealthy bacteria in the gut. Foods that include probiotics include yogurts, fermented foods, and apple cider vinegar.
Banish Second Hand Smoke~
Smoke increases the risk of Bronchitis, ear infections, asthma, and SIDs
Use Antibiotics Only when Necessary~
Antibiotics only treat bacteria. The majority of childhood illnesses are caused by viruses. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Natural Remedies for First Sign of Sickness
While daily supplements aren’t recommended, I would keep my medicine cabinet stocked for the first signs of sickness. These are known to boost the immune system or shorten the duration of illnesses.
- Zinc lozenges — Zinc helps your immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses.
- Elderberry — My Favorite!! Comes in gummies and syrup. Has the best research that shows that it helps shorten the duration of viral illnesses.
- Vitamin C — Comes in many different formulas to help support a healthy immune system.
Conclusion
As your kids head back to school this fall, don’t forget about the back-to-school bugs. Planning ahead and being prepared can save you a lot of stress.
As moms, I know we are already so busy without adding extra laundry, handwashing, and more precautions. But wouldn’t it be worth it if we had less illness this year?
Also, knowing what nutrition and supplements to reach for could prevent and even lessen the length of the illness.
Knowledge is power! I wish you and your little ones a healthy school year!
Hi! I’m Lauren!
I am an RN turned Health writer. I love to write about everything, especially health and wellness topics. If you need any health-related content for your website or business, please get in touch! Email me at [email protected]
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