Does it ever seem like your school-age child brings home a new infection every few weeks? Kids get a lot of wonderful things in school—math and reading skills, development of social skills to make friends and cooperate with others, learning how to be disciplined and independent—to name just a few. But the unfortunate reality is that school can be a hotspot for bacteria and viruses and a source for lots of common kid illnesses, especially for younger school-age kids whose immune systems are still maturing.
And since kids tend to spend more time indoors in the fall and winter months, and younger children in particular tend to play closer together and share toys and other classroom items, infections are easily passed from one person to another. “People think there are more viruses in the winter, but in winter, there is more people-to-people contact,” says Henry Bernstein, DO, professor of pediatrics at Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine in New York and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Windows and doors are shut, and therefore viruses are spreading more.” Here are some illnesses kids typically pick up at school, common symptoms and prevention tips, and when to call the doctor.
As common as it is, the influenza virus is dangerous: It is responsible for thousands of death each year, and not all of those victims are among the high-risk populations. “The vaccine is recommended each and every year for children 6 months of age and older,” says Dr. Bernstein.
Symptoms often include a quick onset of illness, a high fever (103 degrees or higher), body aches and chills, headache, severe exhaustion, and decreased appetite. Your child may also have a cough, sore throat, and in some cases, vomiting and/or diarrhea and belly pain. Many respiratory illnesses, including strep throat or pneumonia, can resemble the flu, so call your doctor if you see these symptoms, says Dr. Bernstein.
Prevention tip: Teach kids to wash their hands properly and often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. They should also be reminded to always wash their hands after sneezing or coughing. Kids should also use alcohol sanitizer in school, especially during cold and flu season. And remind kids to not share drinking cups or eating utensils at school.
Colds are usually caused by rhinoviruses, which are tiny infectious organisms that can live on surfaces for hours. These viruses can enter the lining of the nose and throat and multiply and grow, triggering an immune system response that causes sore throats, cough, headaches, and sneezing. Your child may also develop a stuffy or runny nose and mild fever.
Prevention tip: One of the most common ways colds are transmitted is when a child comes into contact with a cold virus and then touches her eyes or nose. Make sure your child washes her hands properly often, and remind her not to touch her eyes, nose, or mouth. You can also help keep your child’s immune system healthy by making sure she gets enough sleep, eats a healthy diet, and gets lots of exercise.
Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is an inflammation or infection of the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelid. This common eye disease can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection as well as allergies, pollutants such as smoke, chemicals in cosmetics, or chlorine in pools. A child may complain of eye irritation or a sensitivity to light and you may see excessive tearing or discharge, swollen eyelids, and a redness in the whites of the eyes (hence the name “pinkeye”).
Prevention tip: Pinkeye is easily passed from person to person (a child can get pinkeye by touching something that an infected person has touched, and then touching his own eye), which is why children who have been diagnosed with conjunctivitis 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 help ward off pinkeye as well as other infections.
This common infection in kids is caused by a strain of bacteria called group A streptococcus. Strep throat is highly contagious and can spread through airborne droplets when someone who has the infection sneezes or coughs. Strep throat can also be transmitted through sharing drinks or food, or by touching a surface such as a doorknob that is harboring the bacteria and then touching one’s own eyes, nose, or mouth. Your child may complain of a sore throat and pain when swallowing, and she may have a fever, rash, headache, nausea or vomiting, tiny red spots on the back of the roof of the mouth, and swollen tonsils.
Prevention tip: Teach your child to be especially careful about sharing things with friends and classmates who are coughing or sneezing. Remind your child to wash her hand often, especially if a classmate is sick.
Also called “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. Gastroenteritis can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or a parasite. When kids are fighting a stomach bug, the most important thing to remember is to keep them well hydrated. “Bodies tend to not work well when they are dehydrated,” says Dr. Bernstein. Have kids sip water or a rehydration solution (such as Pedialyte or Gatorade) that contain electrolytes, which become depleted when a child throws up and has diarrhea.
Prevention tip: The best way to prevent gastroenteritis is by encouraging your child to wash his hands, and to avoid close contact with someone who is has a stomach bug.
When to Call the Doctor
For any illness, call your pediatrician if you see any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever (103 degrees or higher)
- No fever but acting ill (“If a child has a low-grade fever but appears to be ill, that’s more concerning than if he has a high fever but is acting like himself,” says Dr. Bernstein.)
- Dehydration (Signs include little to no urine production, sluggishness, and dry mouth)
- Lack of appetite and refusing food that lasts for more than a couple of days