kids and school germs/illnesses

S

sarab

Cathlete
Hi Ladies....I need some of your expert advice!!!

My son just started Kindergarten. This is his 2nd full week of school. Last week, (after his 1st full week)he came home with a sore throat and cold. I did not think the sicknesses would start until at least Sept!!!! Anyway, now all of my kids have green snotty noses and it sucks! Oh, dh has it too. I don't yet, but I am feeling a little run down and yucky. That is how I usually feel for a few days if I don't completely catch one of my kid's colds. Or, I get a lovely cold sore. YUCK...I hate those things!

I was wondering if you all have any ideas on how to give his immune system a boast. He eats pretty healthy (for a kid). He gets fruit and veggies (usually apples and carrots) everyday. I don't give any of my kids a lot of sugar except for desserts or a weekend sugar splurge (I love those days...so much fun)

I have been giving him a probiotic once a week hoping it would help a bit. He also gets a vitamin everyday. I just can't stand the thought of green snotty noses all school year. My little one is always wiping her nose on me or the furniture. Poor thing....

So if you have any ideas...please share.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the kids in class share everything. I have tried talking to the teachers and principal about how germs are badly spread that way, but it went in one ear and out the other...

Sara
 
I have seen class supply lists that asked the students to bring the waterless Antibacterial soaps to class and keep on their desks. After they bring them, I guess it would be up to the teacher to remind them to use it throughout the day.
 
Emphasize the importance of washing hands, putting used tissues in the bin, and using wipes (if they are allowed, they aren't at DS's school.) Feed him a healthy diet, w/ a multi-vitamin and extra Vit. C. Make sure he gets plenty of rest. Other than that, you just have to let his immune system get used to lots of germs. DS's first year of school we all were ill so much! It lessens after the first year or so. Fall and winter are the worst for colds, but spring seems to bring tummy bugs. Hang in there - you will make it!
 
My kids are very healthy and I really believe it is because they carry around hand sanitizer and USE it, and most importantly, IMO, they get enough sleep every night.

Most of their classmates stay up much later, but whenever I become lax with their bedtime, they get a cold, etc.

This has held true now for both kiddlies and one is in high school and the other 3rd grade.
 
As a teacher, those ONLY thing that keeps me cold-free is washing my hands with soap and water - including under my nails. That is a tough thing to teach kids, but worth it. The hand santizers are ok, but I do get sick when I use those more than actually washing my hands with soap and water.
 
Annette Bethel

Actually germs/sickness and illness happens especially in the elementary years. As they grow older, it tends to abate a little. Was your child ever in daycare? Most daycare children have built up an immunity before they reach school. But since I have been home and not out in a particular place, just this week I got slammed with a cold. And I take supplements and eat healthy. I think you can lessen with vitamins, etc., but they will get sick.
 
again WASHING hands is the #1 way to prevent the spread of infections!

also , on an unpleasent note, besides the green snotty noses.......look out for the GI thing......that's way worse!!
 
I totally agree with teaching your son to be extra careful with hand washing/sanitizing. Kid's hands are going to get muckey at school, that's a given, but if they can keep their hands away from their eyes and nose when playing until they can wash they will lessen their liklihood of getting a cold by far. The cold virus enters the body via mucous membranes, keeping hands away from eyes and nose helps a lot! It's tough though, my Kids are going into grades 12, 10 and 7 and they still bring colds home within the first month of school.

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
If there is one thing that will weaken the immune system it is sugar/white flour. Are you sure he isn't getting sugar at school? From the other kids? It seems like mine get it EVERYWHERE! The bank, teachers, grandma, other kids, birthday parties, and I don't keep sweets/junk in the house at ALL!

When I was a kid my mom was the same way and I got charity junk food from the other kids.
 
Honestly, when you have that many kids in one space, they get sick more often. Yes, washing hands is a BIG preventative, but when he is at school, you cannot enforce it. When he gets home, make him wash his hands right away. But germs also get picked up in other ways, airborne, so it is hard to prevent that. Kids just get them. As they get older, it gets better, but my 13 year old still comes home the first week of school with a cold. I see my 18 year old today after a week and a half in the dorm, it will be interesting to see if he is sick.
 
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