Keeping kids healthy for school
Monday, Aug. 24, 2009
A new school year can bring with it a new round of battles against sneezes, coughs and other miseries. Not only do sick students create uncertain situations for many parents and families, but illnesses that take children out of school for any length of time can interfere with a child’s success at school.
Make this the healthiest year yet by following some basic guidelines that can keep your kids – and your whole family – with a clean bill of health.
- Wash your hands! First and foremost, nearly every common malady can be prevented if you practice good hand washing. Once your hands are covered in a soapy lather, wash for at least 10-15 seconds on all surfaces of the hands, fingers, thumbs, back of fingers, beneath fingernails and on the back of hands.
- Cover your cough and sneeze. It’s best to use your arm or a tissue to help cut down on the number of germs spread to your hands. Either way, if you’re coughing and sneezing, you should be washing your hands as often as possible.
- Stay home when you’re sick. If you or your child has a fever or symptoms that prevent you from having a normal day, stay home. Not only will the rest help you recover more quickly, but staying away from groups of people will help keep everyone else healthier.
- Get plenty of rest and eat right. Adults and children alike are better able to resist illness their bodies are kept in top shape. Keep a regular, early bedtime during the week, and try not to change your habits too much on the weekend. Fresh fruits and vegetables also are important to good health, as are balanced portions of protein, dairy and whole grains.
- Get vaccinated! One of the simplest ways to stay free of the flu is to get the seasonal flu shot. These are available in the fall and winter from your family physician or the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. The seasonal flu vaccine will not cover H1N1 (sometimes called swine flu). However, a separate H1N1 vaccine also may be available later in the fall. Watch for more information from the health department, the schools or the media.
If an outbreak of a contagious illness occurs in a school and affects a number of students or staff, the district has a number of procedures in place to work with parents, building custodians, school nurses, students and others to contain the illness as much as possible and protect the continuity of student learning.
“Healthy students are the best equipped for learning,” said Don Grosdidier, superintendent of schools. “We are ready to take the necessary measures at the schools to help protect that healthy environment, and we appreciate the steps that families can take to help everyone have a healthy year.”
Symptoms of the flu include cough, fever, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, stuffy nose, fatigue and chills. If your child has any of these symptoms, or if you have questions or concerns about your child’s ability to attend school due to illness contact your family physician or school nurse. Parents who are concerned about the flu may click here to learn more about H1N1 and other important student health issues.
