Mayo Clinic Minute: Reducing viral infection risks when sending kids off to school
It’s again to college for a lot of kids across the nation. And as soon as they hit the classroom, you could discover extra runny noses and different signs related to viral and bacterial infections.
Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a pediatric infectious illnesses doctor with the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center, says you may not have the option to cease a few of these sicknesses, however lowering viral infection risks is feasible.
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Kids returning to college on the finish of summer time usually coincides with the start of the respiratory virus season.
“You’ve got kids from lots of different households who are now coming together in a relatively confined space of a classroom,” says Dr. Rajapakse.
And sharing greater than their lunches. They are sharing viruses they have been uncovered to at dwelling. Dr. Rajapakse says some childhood sicknesses are inevitable, however there are issues households can do to scale back risks.
“Making positive that your kid’s vaccines are up to date earlier than they return to college is nice, helps stop issues like influenza, COVID, different respiratory infections particularly,” she says.
Teach your little one when and the way to wash their fingers. Use heat water with cleaning soap for 30 seconds earlier than eating, after utilizing the lavatory, and after sneezing or coughing.
It helps stop the unfold of germs that may make them and others sick.
And maintain them dwelling in the event that they do develop into sick.
“If your child has an illness that is likely something that’s contagious to others, the best thing to do is to keep them home until they’re feeling well,” Dr. Rajapakse says.
Reducing viral infection threat
Viruses are chargeable for inflicting many sicknesses. There are some simple methods to stop these viral infections by following some easy ways.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Stay dwelling should you’re sick.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces which might be touched usually.
- Avoid contaminated food and water
