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Back
to School:
Must It Mean ACHOO!?
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By Sheri McGregor
Parents send their kids back
to school every fall knowing they're likely to bring home
a virus along with their homework. So many children gathered
together makes the transmission of viruses a given. What
can parents and teachers do to prevent the spreading of
germs?
Parents, while stuffing their
child's new cartoon character backpack with a snazzy new
lunch box, consider tossing in the zinc lozenges and Echinacea,
too. Not so fast, says Mary Ann Carmack, M.D., a pediatrician
at the Palo Alto Medical Clinic. "Not enough is known
about whether these products are helpful and, more importantly,
whether they pose any risks to children. "She cites
lack of research and the fact that herbal products aren't
regulated by the FDA as important considerations. "Even
though many of these products appear to be safe for adults,"
Carmack says,"little is known about potential risks
in the growing child."
Don't worry. Old fashioned
common sense and a few simple techniques give you a fighting
chance against nasty little viruses that can make your child
sick." Hand washing is the single most important measure
for preventing infection," Carmack says. "Most
viral and upper respiratory infections are contracted through
contact with contaminated objects rather than by being sneezed
or coughed upon." For instance, a classmate swipes
at her nose then grabs a paintbrush from the can. She strokes
a few bright slashes of yellow on her creation then returns
the brush to its place. Your child is next to use the sunny
yellow paint. She picks up the paintbrush, and the virus
crawls onto her hand. She strokes the paper like a master,
making a beautiful yellow daisy she'll take home to hang
on the refrigerator door — but that's not all she'll be
taking home. She puts the brush back and rubs her eye, inoculating
herself with her classmate's virus. Obviously, in close
contact where kids share supplies, viruses can easily sneak
through your lines of defense. But a few simple rules help
keep your child virus free. Carmack's tips, taught by parents
and teachers and reinforced by both, include:
- Train children not to share
food, beverages, utensils. No hairbrushes or hair accessories
either — to avoid the spread of lice. And teachers, don't
pat heads as the children enter your classroom.
- Viruses can live on surfaces
(doorknobs, countertops, etc.) for several days. Explain
to children how viruses are spread, and remind them to
keep their hands away from their face.
- Make hand washing a habit.
Have children wash their hands after using the restroom
and before going to lunch. Teachers can employ a hand
sanitizer that doesn't require water or paper towels.
- Keep the school desks clean.
Wash at least once weekly with a germ fighting spray.
- Have tissues in plain sight,
and tell students to use them. Train children to dispose
of used tissues in the wastebasket.
- Teachers, remind students
about the necessity for adequate rest. Parents, reinforce
this need at home. Help your children obtain a fair amount
of exercise and good nutrition. Healthy bodies can better
fight off infection.
- Be sure your child has received
age-appropriate immunizations.
- Protect your child from
exposure to second-hand smoke, which is associated with
increased incidence of childhood colds.
Sheri McGregor writes
about health and fitness from her Southern California home.
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