Coming to terms with health

AS THE summer holiday draws to a close, parents across the country are dusting off uniforms, checking shoes still fit and treating children to new stationery to ease the return to the classroom.

- BY WHITNEY LODOVICA Boots pharmacist

But illnesses among youngsters typically rise around September when colds and viruses spread more easily in confined spaces and immunity may have dipped during the break.

So, as well as making sure bags are packed with essentials, it’s worth thinking about how to help learners stay healthy and avoid back-to-school bugs. Here we answer some often-asked questions from parents as the new academic year starts...

Returning to school often results in illness in our household. Is there anything we can do?

Teach good hygiene: This is key to preventing the spread of infection, so teaching children about basic cleanliness is extremely important.

Some of the key hygiene rules I like to recommend are thorough washing of the hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds and using tissues to catch coughs and sneezes.

Up-to-date vaccinations: It’s important children are up to date with routine childhood vaccinations to help protect them against a number of infectious diseases.

Spot the signs: Viruses that cause cold and flu can spread quickly as children go back to school and as the weather gets colder. Symptoms can vary but common ones can include a high temperature, a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose and feeling tired and unwell.