Common School Illnesses
- Clayton Drug
- 12 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Back-to-school can be an exciting time for kids, especially when they get to reunite with their old friends and make new ones. However, close contact with other kids can increase their chances of becoming sick. School environments contain a lot of germs, especially in the first few months. The best way to prevent illness in your child is to manage exposure and stay prepared.¹
What are the Most Common School Illnesses?
There are many different illnesses that spread easily in schools; however, the following illnesses tend to be the most prevalent:
Influenza
Influenza, also known as “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: fever, headache, fatigue, and cough. The flu can range from mild to severe.
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. People infected by this virus usually experience moderate flu-like symptoms such as fever and/or loss of taste and smell.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is very common, especially among children ages 5-15 and tends to spread through schools very quickly. In addition to sore throat, symptoms may include runny nose, high fever, and headache. Once confirmed, strep can be treated with antibiotics to ease symptoms, control spread, and prevent complications.
Lice
Lice are parasitic insects that can be found on the head, eyebrows, and eyelashes. These tiny bugs live on or near the scalp, feed on blood, and cause itching. To keep your family lice-free, it’s important to teach your child to avoid head-to-head contact and not to share hats, helmets, hair accessories, towels, and other personal items.
HFMD
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a mild, contagious viral infection. HFMD spreads through person-to-person contact and is common among younger children. Symptoms include sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.
Pink Eye
Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye,” is irritation or inflammation of the white of the eye and is easily spread between children in school settings. Signs include bloodshot eyes, itchy and burning eyes, and a yellow or green discharge from the eyes.
It’s important to notify your child’s school nurse if they are diagnosed with any of the illnesses listed above so the school can monitor the spread, provide extra sanitation, and alert other parents/caregivers to monitor their child’s health.²
What do you do if your child gets sick?
Schools often expect children and staff to get sick during the school year. In a recent survey, more than two-thirds of children missed at least one day of school due to illness.³
When students inevitably become ill during the school year, parents and schools can implement certain strategies to help slow the spread of infectious diseases.
Staying Home
Keeping your child home from school while they’re sick can lower the risk of spreading infections. If your child’s needs while ill would interfere with their school staff’s ability to teach and care for other students, your child should stay home. Additionally, if your child’s symptoms could affect their ability to participate in school, or there is concern that they might spread infection to others, they should also stay home. Symptoms that could keep your child home from school include, but are not limited to:⁴
Fever, including a fever with a new rash
Vomiting more than twice in the preceding 24 hours
Diarrhea that causes “accidents,” is bloody, or results in greater than two bowl movements above what your child normally experiences in a 24-hour period
Skin sores that are draining fluid and are unable to be covered with a bandage
Respiratory virus symptoms, such as chest discomfort, chills, cough, muscle or body aches, sore throat, etc. that are worsening or not improving
Returning to School
In general, a child returning to school should be well enough to participate in school and their care should no longer interfere with the school staff’s ability to teach or care for other students. Children returning to school after being sick may still be contagious, but they are less likely to spread illness as symptoms improve, depending on factors like duration and severity of the illness. In most circumstances, a child can return to school when: ⁴
The child has not had a fever (and is not using fever-reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours
Fever with a new rash has been evaluated by a healthcare professional and fever has resolved
Uncovered skin sores are crusting, and the child is under treatment from a healthcare provider
Vomiting has been resolved overnight, and the child can hold down food and/or liquids in the morning
Diarrhea has improved; the child is no longer having accidents or is having bowl movements no more than 2 above normal per 24-hour period for the child. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by a healthcare professional before returning
Respiratory virus symptoms are getting better for at least 24 hours
Though many common school illnesses are manageable from home, there are ways to prevent, and hopefully lessen the symptoms of, these illnesses.
How to prevent common school illnesses
Though it’s inevitable that children will get sick during the school year, there are important steps to take that help reduce the frequency of illness.⁵
Keep Vaccinations Up to Date
Prior to the school year, it’s important to make sure your children are up-to-date on their immunizations and health physicals. Check-ups are important because they allow healthcare professionals to look at a child’s growth and development, perform tests, and give immunizations, if necessary. Vaccine requirements vary by state, so it’s crucial to understand which ones your child will need before they return to school. You can view state school vaccination requirements here: https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/docs/school-vaccinations.pdf
Keep Germs at Bay
Illnesses are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi that are transmitted from one person to another. Germs are easily spread when a child touches an object that has been contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. It’s important to keep objects and surfaces clean and teach children to cough/sneeze into their elbows. ⁵
Handwashing
Frequent handwashing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of colds, the flu, and other viruses. Reminding children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, blowing their nose, handling trash, touching animals, and prior to touching food will help eliminate germs. When buying school supplies, consider also purchasing some alcohol-based hand cleanser for your child’s classroom. ⁵
Help the Immune System
Eating an unhealthy diet and not getting enough sleep can affect the immune system and lower your child’s resistance to illnesses. Making sure your child is eating their fruits and vegetables and frequently drinking water throughout the day can prevent health problems. Exercise is also crucial to physical, as well as mental, well-being. ⁵
School can be a stressful time all-around. Stress is also a factor that weakens the immune system. Being able to manage your child’s stress can also help prevent them from getting sick.
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