Top Tips for Staying Healthy

Does it seem as if your child is sick all the time? In the early school years, your child’s immune system is put to the test.

Many childhood illnesses are caused by viruses and are spread easily from hand to mouth.

Why Hand Washing Counts

Frequent hand washing is one of the simplest — and most effective — ways to stay healthy in school. Remind your child to wash his or her hands before eating and after using the toilet, blowing his or her nose, or playing outside. Suggest soaping up for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. If not able to wash their hands, using hand sanitizer is the best option.

Other School Health Tips

Common sense can go a long way toward staying healthy in school. In addition to frequent hand washing, encourage your child to follow these tips:

• Other times to wash hands/use hand sanitizer: before eating snacks and after using a shared computer, pencil sharpener, water fountain or other community objects. .

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Encourage your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then put the tissue in the trash, and wash his or her hands or use hand sanitizer. If it isn’t possible to reach a tissue in time, remind your child to cough or sneeze into the bend of his or her elbow.

• Keep your hands away from your eyes and out of your mouth.Remind your child that hands are often covered in germs.

• Don’t share water bottles, food or other personal items. Offer your child this simple rule: if you put the item in your mouth, keep it to yourself.

• Get a yearly flu vaccine

• Get plenty of sleep

• Eat a healthy diet including lots of water

• If you become sick, limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Guidelines for Keeping Sick Children at Home

• Fever in the past 24 hours (oral temperature should be below 100 F. for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication)

• Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours

• Infections requiring antibiotics need a physician note with date child may return to school

• To Prevent Spreading Illness at Home, Use the Same Tips for the Entire Family