How to Have a Healthy Back-to-School Season
As the summer draws closer, families like yours are preparing for the new school year. While you’re probably ready for your children to start school, it’s essential to be proactive and plan for potential outbreaks of illness that will inevitably happen as the weather turns colder.
For kids, the excitement of seeing their friends after a long summer break will likely lead to lots of hugs and high-fives. While these gestures of friendship are sweet, they can also spread germs, making it essential for kids to wash their hands frequently and practice good hygiene to minimize the risk of getting sick. The close proximity of students in classrooms also creates an ideal environment for germs to spread rapidly.
However, staying healthy doesn’t just include being proactive about your family’s physical health; mental health is equally important. The pressure to perform academically, social anxiety, and bullying can all contribute to increased stress levels. For children with pre-existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression,
You can take steps to protect your children and minimize the risk of illnesses. Here are our recommendations for a healthy back-to-school season and how Balance Psychiatric Services can help.
What Illnesses Should You Worry About?
Preparing for sickness is great, but what should you worry about? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common illnesses affecting school-age children include colds, the flu, and pink eye. Here’s what to watch for in your kids as they start classes.
- Common Colds: Watch for runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and mild fatigue, which can also be accompanied by a slight loss of appetite.
- The Flu: Watch for high fever, chills, severe coughing, sore throat, headache, and fatigue, including muscle or body aches.
- Gastroenteritis/Stomach Flu: Watch for diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramping, fever, and loss of appetite, which can lead to dehydration if not addressed.
- Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis: Watch for signs of redness or pinkness of the eye, discharge or pus, itchiness or burning sensation, swollen eyelids, and increased sensitivity to light.
These illnesses can lead to missed school days, decreased academic performance, and a weakened immune system — three things that no one wants to start the year with.
Healthy Kids Have Healthy Habits
Avoiding sickness involves traditional tips like washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, coughing into your elbow, and avoiding breathing in other people’s faces, but there are also extra precautions you can take.
Encourage your kids to get enough sleep by starting a regular bedtime routine from the first day of school and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Even the pickiest of eaters can do this, with more and more companies offering sneaky ways to get your kids to eat healthier, like veggie-filled pasta sauces or popsicles made with real fruit.
Additionally, ensure your child gets vaccinated against common illnesses, and consider consulting with a health expert with any concerns. Many schools require vaccinations, so you can also check with your child’s administration to find out which ones you may need to speak with your pediatrician about.
Other tips include:
- Packing health-focused items in their backpack, such as hand sanitizer, tissues, and face masks (if recommended). You can also send your child’s teacher some of these things as part of the back-to-school supplies, or as a nice gift.
- Take all prescribed medications or emergency supplies to the office. However, remember to alert your child’s teachers, nurses, and administration before sending any new supplies to ensure they align with school policies. Keeping a small first aid kid in your child’s backpack is another good idea.
Also, don’t be afraid to start an open line of communication with your child’s teachers and school nurses (but always ask if they have a preferred way for you to contact them). Inform them about any health concerns or conditions your child may have, and ask about their procedures for handling illnesses and emergencies.
What if My Child has Specific Care Needs?
Children with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or any condition that compromises their developing immune systems, face unique challenges during the back-to-school season.
If your child has any of these conditions, catching a common illness like a cold or the flu—things that spread rapidly through classrooms—you know they are more susceptible to complications and more severe symptoms. Their chronic condition can make them more vulnerable to viruses, causing hospitalizations and sometimes life-threatening situations.
Want more information? Here’s some statistics:
- Asthma Canada reports that children with asthma are more likely to experience an asthma attack from exposure to respiratory infections during the back-to-school season due to increased exposure to triggers like dust, mold, and allergens.
- The National Health Interview Survey (2019-2022) reports that the number of kids with chronic school absenteeism (missing multiple days of school) due to illness, injury, or disability rose from 3.3% in 2019 to 5.8% in 2022.
- According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, students with chronic illnesses were granted “equal access to education,” opening the door for accommodations like 504 plans.
Stay Healthy for Back-to-School with Balance Psychiatric Services
From the nurse practitioners at Balance Psychiatric Services, we hope you and your family have an amazing and healthy start to the school year!
If you don’t already have established psychiatric or family care, we would love to be your go-to source for high-quality, patient-centered, holistic care. Our telehealth appointments also make transitioning to a new schedule much easier! Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.