Kids Are Back to School, and So Are Germs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Health Optimal in Tampa Bay
Summer is officially coming to a close and schools are slowly getting ready to welcome kids back to classrooms.
Parents are also busy preparing kids for a new school year. They flock to stores to buy new school supplies and clothes so their kids step in ready to learn.
Part of getting children ready for school is getting their health in optimal shape, so they’re not only ready to learn but do so in a healthy state.
As schools soon reopen, students become more susceptible to the spread of germs and contracting viruses that can lead to illnesses, and in some cases, lead to hospitalization.
It is crucial to take proactive measures to protect your kids from germs and keep them healthy as they step back into the four walls of learning.
RSV in Florida: What You Need to Know
Respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV, is a common and highly contagious respiratory virus that impacts the patient’s lungs and breathing passages. It typically causes mild and cold-like symptoms.
People of all ages may be affected by RSV but young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of developing severe infections and complications from it.
Florida, known as the Sunshine State, has a more tropical and humid climate. This has led the state and other places with similar climates to experience RSV outbreaks more sporadically throughout the year, instead of it being seasonal.
Florida also experiences RSV seasons that start earlier and last longer than other places in the US. The state’s RSV seasons have distinct regional patterns so the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has come up with 5 distinct RSV seasons in the state divided by region:
- Northwest Florida - October to April
- North Florida - September to March
- Central Florida - August to March
- Southeast Florida - January to December
- Southwest Florida - September to April
RSV outbreaks are common in schools, daycare centers, and long-term care facilities.
As students flock back to school, so do germs and viruses that can easily be passed around to unsuspecting victims. When children learn the dangers of viruses and how they easily pass around in a room full of other students, they will not be defenseless come the opening of a new school year.
Here’s How You Can Keep Kids Healthy for School
Keep your kids and healthy safe from harmful germs, viruses, and bacteria with these 5 effective yet easy approaches:
1. Encourage frequent hand washing at home and in school
A simple yet effective way to combat the spread of germs in schools is through frequent hand washing.
Teach children the habit of washing their hands before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, after playing, and after touching and using shared items. They should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds for it to be effective. That is the equivalent of two ‘Happy Birthday’ songs from start to finish (plus, the song makes it fun).
2. Do not share personal items
RSV spreads through contact with droplets from the nose and mouth of infected people.
Teach children to never share personal items like water bottles and utensils. Items like toys that have been in the mouth of another student should also never be shared and touched as this is a vessel for the spread of germs and viruses.
Buy your child their items and label them. Teach them to never lend them out to anyone else either.
3. Keep vaccinations up to date
A child’s number-one defense against contracting contagious diseases like RSV is vaccination. Before school starts, ensure that your kids’ vaccinations are up to date. Aside from the RSV vaccine, also look into COVID and flu vaccines as these three are very common and highly contagious respiratory diseases.
4. Boost immunity and defense
Additionally, strengthen your child’s immune system and boost their defense against disease-causing germs and viruses.
Keep them on a consistent diet of proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables to give their bodies the nutrients they need to fight off germs. Make sure they drink plenty of water as well.
Getting enough sleep every night will also strengthen their immunity. Consider these recommendations from the American Academy of Sleep:
- 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5-year-old children
- 9 to 12 hours for 6 to 12-year-old children
- 8 to 10 hours for 13 to 18-year-old teens
5. Know the symptoms of RSV
Lastly, it’s crucial to know the symptoms of RSV so you can easily spot it in your children or any member of your family. The common symptoms of RSV include:
- Coughing
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- A decrease in appetite
Conclusion: Don’t Let Germs Stop Children From Learning
As children go back to school, so do germs, viruses, and bacteria that get easily passed around a room full of unsuspecting children.
While parents can't be with their kids at school, they can still take steps to protect them as the new school year begins. Teaching children about the dangers of germs and how easily they spread among classmates can be one of the best defenses.
