For many young people, going back to school also means going back to being surrounded by germs, and safeguarding your child’s health can be an overwhelming task. Fortunately, there are many ways parents can fight against the most common ailments that students face when headed back to class.
The common cold
Colds, which are both common and contagious, tend to hit little ones full force as many children struggle to keep their hands washed and their sneezing contained. Arm your child with hand sanitizer; remind them to keep their hands washed and their fingers out of their mouths. Remember that any child with a fever of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher should stay home and rest.
Head lice
Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for children of all ethnicities to have head lice, though Black individuals are far less likely to have them than caucasians. If there is an outbreak of head lice in a community or school, all parents should have their child’s head checked. Though finding tiny critters in your child’s hair may feel yucky, head lice have not been shown to spread disease. There are a variety of over-the-counter medications approved for treating the issue. In addition, oil-based hair products, particularly those that contain tea tree and coconut oil, may aid in preventing lice altogether.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is an extremely contagious condition characterized by itchy red spots that can appear all over the body. Infected children should stay home until their rash is gone. Many parents choose to give their children a varicella vaccine around the 1-year mark to prevent them from contracting chickenpox. If your child happens to catch the pox, applying calamine lotion to their skin and giving them a lukewarm bath may help ease symptoms.
Mono
Mononucleosis, also called “mono,” is typically caused by Epstein-Barr (EBV) — a virus that can live in a person’s salivary glands. Mono, often diagnosed in teens and young adults, can spread through activities that cause one to come into contact with someone else’s infected saliva. Symptoms include feeling tired or weak, having a fever and a sore throat. Prevent mono by not sharing food or eating utensils and, if you believe yourself to be infected, hold out on kissing until symptoms disappear. Rest and pain killers are the typical aids people rely on to get over mono, but in severe cases corticosteroids may be needed to help ease symptoms.
Strep throat
This extremely contagious bacterial infection can cause headaches, a sore/swollen throat and fever. Typical sore throats are caused by viral infections that also cause coughing, sneezing and runny noses, so if your sore throat doesn’t come with any of those symptoms, it would be a good idea to check for strep throat. Doctors can administer a lab test known as the rapid strep test to quickly diagnose patients. To prevent strep throat, make sure you body is strong enough to resist infection with rest, a healthy diet and exercise. In addition, keep your hands clean and avoid contact with anyone who has a strep infection. Treatment for strep throat typically involves antibiotics.
