Five simple steps you can take to avoid catching the 'back to school' illnesses
Parents are being asked to try and keep their children healthy as a new school term starts, to prevent the spread of common viruses like chickenpox, norovirus and flu.
The return to the classroom can bring the usual seasonal sniffles and other illnesses, but measures can be taken by parents to try and avoid them. There are several steps which can be taken, with advice from health officials including knowing when to keep your child off school, and teaching good hygiene habits.
Fran Millar, CEO of INEOS Hygienics, previously told the Mirror: "Over three quarters [79 per cent] of Brits fear falling sick again this winter. So, if hand washing fatigue has set in in your household, it’s worth remembering that just 30 seconds of it regularly can help mitigate feeling under the weather for weeks."
Here's how you can avoid getting ill when going back to school.
Teaching regular hand-washing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of viruses (Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)Boost your child's immune system
One step is to try and keep children's immune systems healthy by ensuring they have a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals. If your child is a fussy eater, you can try boosting their nutrient levels with a multivitamin for children. It's especially important, as children's immune systems are less developed than adults.
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Encourage regular hand washing
Additionally, four in five infectious diseases, such as stomach bugs, are spread by hands. Teaching regular hand-washing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of viruses, the experts say, because they can live on our hands. You should use warm water and soap for twenty seconds, or hand sanitiser, to clean hands frequently.
Catch coughs and sneezes
To stop infections spreading, use tissues to catch coughs and sneezes, and make sure to throw them away afterwards, and wash your hands again.
Keep your child off school
Another tip is to keep children at home from school or nursery if they have a high temperature, fever, or are unwell. A child with vomiting or diarrhoea should wait 48 hours before heading back to school, to stop the spread of stomach bugs.
It's fine to send your child to school with a minor cough or common cold, though.
Get vaccinated
The best protection against flu is a "quick and painless" nasal spray for children, the UKHSA says. You can also find out if your child is eligible for a flu vaccine in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There has been a fall in uptake of other childhood vaccinations, that protect against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, polio and diphtheria, and the advice is to ensure your child is up to date with all their vaccinations.
You can also use the NHS health service for advice, with plenty of resources available.
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