The ABCs of Preventing Back to School Illnesses

So I have a new gig, one I’m very excited about. You can now find me writing a weekly column for The Sacramento Bee in their family section on Tuesdays. This week was my debut column and I give you the low down on those back to school bugs and how to prevent, recognize, and treat them. I hope you’ll follow me over there every Tuesday as I discuss pertinent pediatric health and parenting topics. Don’t worry, I’ll still be here too…sharing my personal parenting moments and pediatric tips along the way!

 

Many of us are trying to squeeze every last bit of summer out of August before tackling the school supply list. While I’m a bit sad to see this break end, I am ready to re-establish my family’s daily routines.

The return to school brings back one phenomenon I am not ready to see again: the seemingly unavoidable round of illness that passes from one student to another. If you live with or provide care for a school-age child, you know what I mean.

Put 20 to 30 children together in one classroom for a good part of the day and those pesky viruses are bound to spread like wildfire.

So, what are the most common back-to-school bugs, and how can you recognize, prevent and treat them?

Hold on to your freshly sharpened pencils, my friends, because I’m about to tell you how Dr. Mom cuts back on the problem in her household.

Continue reading this column over at The Sacramento Bee, Sac Moms Club and feel free to share your experiences with those pesky back to school bugs!

15 Responses to The ABCs of Preventing Back to School Illnesses
  1. Katherine
    August 19, 2011 | 6:51 pm

    Congrats on your new column! That is very exciting for you (and all of us.)

    • Melissa
      August 19, 2011 | 7:01 pm

      Thank you Katherine!

  2. Paula @ Simply Sandwich
    August 19, 2011 | 7:27 pm

    Congratulations to you on the new column! My in-laws are up that way – I am gonna let them know to keep a look out for it! :)

    • Melissa
      August 20, 2011 | 11:49 am

      Thanks Paula :)

  3. Amy
    August 19, 2011 | 8:05 pm

    Very cool! Congrats. : )

    • Melissa
      August 20, 2011 | 11:53 am

      Thank you Amy!

  4. Stefanie
    August 20, 2011 | 8:39 am

    Congrats Melissa! That’s terrific!

    • Melissa
      August 20, 2011 | 11:53 am

      Thank you so much Stefanie!

  5. D Bianchi
    August 20, 2011 | 10:20 am

    Melissa – That is so awesome! Good for you!

    • Melissa
      August 20, 2011 | 11:54 am

      Thank you Dalia!

  6. Betsy at Zen Mama
    August 21, 2011 | 4:19 pm

    That’s great!! Congrats! I’ll head over and finish reading there.

    • Melissa
      August 21, 2011 | 5:13 pm

      Thank you Betsy and I really loved your idea of having children and families wash up right as they get to school. Thanks for the great tip!

  7. Practical Parenting
    August 23, 2011 | 12:45 pm

    Congrats! That’s wonderful! I know you will write an amazing column over there…I’m so happy for you :)

    • Melissa
      August 24, 2011 | 10:34 pm

      Thank you for such kind words Katie. I really appreciate that. :)

  8. weldon phillips
    August 23, 2011 | 3:01 pm

    The CDC has stated that it takes 30 seconds of wet alcohol exposure to kill bacteria. Few if any users keep their hands wet w/alc that long. I would like to send you a sample & testing info on a product called Fresh Protect. It kills all bac (incl MRSA) in less than 15 seconds. But the real winner is that it has residual protection of 4+ hours (or washoff), Kids use it gladly as there is no stinging or burning and their hands feel nice w/no stickiness, etc. My daughter used it in her 4th grade class and had appx 50% less absen-teeism than the rest of the school