These daily habits lower the risk of kids—and the whole family—getting sick.
Back-to-school season is exciting. Kids get to see friends, meet new teachers and settle into new routines. But there’s one part of going back to school that no one looks forward to and that’s all the germs kids come into contact with.
When children spend hours together in classrooms and cafeterias and on playgrounds, they naturally share more than school supplies. Colds, stomach bugs, strep throat, flu and other viruses can spread quickly.
Kids are still building their immune systems, so they tend to catch illnesses more often than adults. Younger kids may get sick several times each year as their bodies learn to recognize and fight off new viruses. Once one child gets sick, germs can easily spread through coughing, sneezing, shared toys, desks, doorknobs and even high-fives.