As a new school year looms on the horizon, it is time to go buy school supplies, pick out a new backpack and prepare for a new season of potential illnesses your kids may contract while in the classroom. It can be tough to send them to school knowing they are coming into contact with a whole variety of illnesses!

Keeping your child healthy at the beginning of the school year isn’t a perfect science, but there are some steps you can take to help. Our team at AFC Urgent Care Boulder outlines some tips below.

Why Do Illnesses Happen More Often in the Fall?

After a summer of minimal exposure to others, your child enters back into the school system and is immediately surrounded by other children. Each child brings a host of new exposures into the classroom! No matter how much teachers and staff sanitize and clean, viruses will always be present.

Did you know that there are over 200 different strains of the common cold? This number is constantly changing as the virus mutates. Even though it is impossible to completely prevent your child from getting sick, we offer some prevention tips below.

Illness Prevention Tips

• Stay up to date with required vaccinations.
• Practice good hand hygiene.
• Get a good diet and proper sleep.
• Prevent sharing of food and other items when possible.

Should I Be Worried If My Child Gets Sick Often?

In short, no. Getting colds often isn’t indicative of underlying issues. Colds can’t be caused by lack of vitamins, playing outside in the cold or any other old wives’ tales you may have heard.

Even though it can be incredibly inconvenient and hard on kids, being exposed to so many viruses is actually helping them in the long run. Over time, it helps build up their immune system to be strong and healthy.

Recovery Tips

• Keep kids home when they’re sick and follow their school’s rules on when they can return.
• Ensure they are properly hydrated and eating as often as they are able to.
• Encourage sleep and rest.

Are you concerned that your child’s illness is more serious? Visit our AFC team—no appointment necessary!