Health Tip of the Month |
Back to school can mean germs and sickness
With the changing weather and children back to school, it may seem as if more children are getting sick, with pesky stomach viruses or fevers. However, Timothy Sullivan, MD, a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff, said viruses are always going around, and often come in clusters.
So, for example, a bunch of children may come down with a gastric bug or the coxsackievirus, which can cause a high fever, muscle aches and in some cases, vomiting.
"We don't usually take viral cultures, so we are not sure exactly which virus it is sometimes," Dr. Sullivan said. "The general rule is, if a child has a fever they are contagious and shouldn't go to school or daycare. And if they don't have a fever but still feel crummy, there is no sense in sending them to school."
Robin Heard, RN, nurse epidemiologist and clinical coordinator of the Epidemiology Department at Backus, said there is a potential for being contagious in the first 24-48 hours of any illness. Especially with vomiting or diarrhea, parents should wait 12 to 24 hours before sending a child to school.
"I know, as a working single mother, that it is difficult to stay home and miss work every time kids are sick," Ms. Heard said. "If parents can create a back-up plan for the school year with a neighbor or grandparent to stay with the child when they are not feeling well, that can be very helpful."
Andrea McCullough-Hlobik, DO, a pediatrician on the Backus Hospital Medical Staff, said good hygiene is important to reduce the spread of illness. Teaching children to use a hand sanitizer when they can't wash their hands and to use good respiratory etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow instead of your hand is important, said Ms. Heard.
With flu season approaching soon, Dr. McCullough-Hlobik said parents should contact their pediatrician to ask when flu vaccines will be available and whether there will be a waiting list.