Now that kids are back to school, it's important to prepare for the inevitable: back-to-school illnesses. Experts at Saint Thomas Health explain 5 common childhood illnesses and tips on how to best protect your child.
1.) Common colds: Colds usually trigger an immune system response that causes sore throats, cough, runny nose, headaches, and sneezing. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most people recover within seven to 10 days. Prevention tip: Make sure your child washes their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Remind children not to touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Also remind your child to sneeze and cough into the crook of the elbow. You can also strengthen your child's immune system by making sure they get enough sleep, healthy foods and physical activity.
2.) Influenza (Flu): The flu comes on hard and fast: a fever, body aches and chills, a headache, sore throat, cough and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Prevention tip: According to the CDC the best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year. If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat the illness, however these prescription medicines are not available over-the-counter.
3.) Pink eye: Your child may complain of eye irritation or sensitivity to light, and you may notice excessive tearing or discharge, swollen eyelids and redness in the whites of the eyes (hence the name 'pink eye'). Prevention tip: Pink eye is easily passed from person to person, which is why children who have been diagnosed are kept out of school until they've started treatment and are no longer contagious. Remind kids often to not touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, which is a good way to ward off pink eye as well as other infections. Don't forget to wash pillow cases and bed linens to prevent reinfection.
4.) Strep throat: This bacterial infection causes fever, severe sore throat, headache and loss of appetite. It's highly contagious and needs to be treated with an oral antibiotic to prevent serious complications. Prevention tip: Wash hands often, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing. According to the CDC if you have strep throat, stay home from school or daycare until you no longer have a fever and have taken antibiotic for at least 24 hours.
5.) Hand, foot and mouth disease: Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common illness, and usually spikes in the summer and early fall months. According to CDC hand foot and mouth disease is a short-term infection, usually found in children younger than five years old. It can cause a high fever, decreased appetite and sore throat. Once the fever passes, it is common to have painful blisters in the mouth, and/or a skin rash on the hands and feet. Prevention tip: Lower your risk of being infected by washing our hands often with soap and water. Disinfect dirty surfaces and soiled items. Avoid close contact and sharing of utensils and cups with people who have the infection.
