School is a great place for children to learn, but unfortunately, schools can also be a breeding grounds for germs, such as the viruses that cause the flu and the common cold. In the U.S., children miss about 22 million school days each year due to the common cold alone. So how do you protect your child from illness in such a busy school environment? Start by following these tips.

Have Your Child Vaccinated for the Flu

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that children ages 6 months and older are vaccinated annually for influenza. Your child will need a flu vaccine each year since the flu vaccine is updated each year to protect against the newest, most common strains of the flu.

Your child cannot get the flu from the vaccine, and the vaccine is very safe. Flu season typically starts in October, so the sooner you're able to have your child vaccinated, the better. In the weeks following the vaccine, your child's body will build immunity to the flu virus. If your child does encounter the flu virus at school, he or she will have an easier time fighting it off.

Teach Your Child to Wash Their Hands

Hand washing is very effective in stopping the spread of illnesses like the common cold and the flu. Unfortunately, most school-aged children do not wash their hands nearly as often as they should. According to one study, only 58 percent of female students and 48 percent of male students washed their hands after using the restroom.

When your child washes their hands after using the restroom, they are not only washing away germs they may have encountered in the restroom — but also germs they've accumulated by touching desks, doorknobs, and other surfaces throughout the day.

Talk about hand washing regularly at home, and make sure your child knows that washing their hands will help prevent them from becoming ill. Let your child see you wash your hands often at home, too. Children mimic behaviors that they see.

Send Your Child to School With a Water Bottle

Another way germs are spread at school is via the sharing of water bottles and drinking vessels. This is really common among kids who play sports. Not only can your child catch a cold by sharing a bottle, but they could also contract more serious illnesses like strep throat and mononucleosis. 

Sending your child to school with their own water bottle will help deter them from sharing with others. They can refill the water bottle at the school's drinking fountains as needed throughout the day.

Remind your child not to allow others to drink from their water bottle. Let them pick out their own bottle so you can be sure it's one they love and will use.

Ensure Your Child Gets Plenty of Sleep

The school year is a busy time, and your child probably has a lot going on between classes, sports, and social activities. Regardless of how busy they get, you need to make sure they're getting plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep affects the immune system, making your child's body less able to fight off cold and flu viruses they encounter at school. 

Here much sleep your child needs depends on their age. Children ages 3 to 6 need about 12 - 14 hours per night. At ages 7 - 12, they need 10 - 11 hours per night, and at ages 12 - 18, they need 8 - 9 hours per night. A good way to ensure your children get adequate sleep is to designate a bedtime. As they grow older, you can slowly make their bedtime later and later.



Follow the tips above to help protect your child from the common cold and the flu this school year. Consult with the pediatricians at Advocare Lerch & Amato Pediatrics for more for advice and information.