As schools reopen, both public and private, there are a lot of preparations happening to keep children and teachers safe from contracting and spreading COVID-19.
However, this is a tricky time for little ones who have a much more fragile immune system. It’s easy for kids to get ill in school when they interact with each other.
According to Very Well Health’s website, the five most common illnesses kids can pick up at school are:
- Cold
- Flu
- Pink eye
- Strep Throat
- Gastroenteritis (stomach bug)
The order of the day is social distancing, and although this is recommended for school going kids, it’s not always possible with pre-schoolers. Mask wearing is playing a role in curbing a lot of contagion in classrooms. The reality is that children do not keep their masks on the entire duration of the school day.
Some of these illnesses share symptoms with the coronavirus, which include:
- Sore throats
- Cough
- Headaches and sneezing
- Mild fever
Make sure the school has a COVID-19 protocol in place
If the school has prioritised the health of your children, they will have a system in place that ensures that the kids do not keep too close to each other and do not overshare toys.
Good hygiene
Continue teaching your child to practice good hygiene. The more they do it at home is the more it becomes a norm outside the home. The consistent washing of hands and sanitisation is not only relevant for keeping kids safe from COVID-19, but it also ensures that they do not give each other illnesses.
Sanitising constantly, for instance, can help your child avoid getting pinkeye, which can be contracting from touching surfaces or items touched by an infected person.
Immune boosters
Boosters like Creche Guard and Viral Guard are trusted by South African families and are instrumental in aiding your child’s immune system as it develops, and supporting it to fight illnesses. Taken once daily, it makes a big difference in ensuring that your children are protected.
Keep your child at home
In a case where your child is ill, instead of taking them to school where they can infect other children, keep them home until they are feeling better. A sick child might be an inconvenience where work is concerned, but infecting other children is never an ideal option.
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