According to the CDC, on average, elementary school children get eight to 12 colds or cases of the flu each school year.  For the older kids, it is about half that. Teachers and parents commonly refer to it as the Back-to-School Plague.

There are simple ways to keep your kids healthy.  Makes sure they get plenty of sleep (school-age children should get 10-11 hours of sleep every night, according to CDC).   Sleep deprivation lowers the immune system’s ability to fight off infection. Exercise regularly and eat healthy food.   Your child’s diet plays an important role in warding off illness. Foods rich in vitamin C (PDF) don’t keep colds away altogether, but they can shorten the length of a cold.  Another way to keep sickness away is by dressing appropriately for the weather.  Studies have shown that people who do bundle up against the cold are less likely to catch colds later on in the year.  And last,  make sure your kids get a flu shot!

Schools are full of “hot zones” for germs. “A myth that most germs are in the bathroom is not true.  Bathrooms are cleaned frequently.  In fact, the number 1 place for most germs would be the drinking fountain. Encourage your kids to allow the water to flow a few seconds before drinking from the fountain OR pack them a bottled water.   Encourage your kids to wash their hands often and provide them antibacterial gels for their backpacks.

Winston Medical Clinic-Main Campus or Winston Medical Clinic-Noxapater is always available to provide you with their very best when you feel at your worst!  If you have a sick child or if you need to schedule a flu shot call Winston Medical Clinic-Main Campus at 662-773-3503 or Winston Medical Center-Noxapater at 662-724-4051.