Essential lessons getting kids safely back to school

Boots pharmacist Whitney Lodovica explains how to ensure your child starts the new term in top health

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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.

But illnesses among youngsters typically rise around September, when colds and viruses can spread more easily in confined spaces and immunity may have dipped during the break. The beginning of a school year can also bring both excitement and stress, particularly when facing new challenges such as GCSEs.

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. All children are also offered a flu vaccination each year as part of the NHS Childhood Flu Vaccination Programme.

Vaccinations provide the best protection against many specific illnesses and keeping your children's vaccinations up to date can help protect them as they return to school and all year round.

For more information, parents should get in touch with their local pharmacist or GP.

Spot the signs Viruses that cause cold and flu can spread quickly as children go back to school and as the weather gets colder.