August 1, 2023

As a pharmacist, I can offer some tips to help keep your child from getting sick at school. Here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Encourage good hygiene practices. Teach your child to frequently wash their hands, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Provide them with hand sanitizer to use when soap and water are not available.
2. Get your child vaccinated. Ensure your child is up to date with their vaccinations. Vaccines are an effective way to prevent illnesses.
3. Boost their immune system. Provide your child with a healthy and balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, and make sure they get enough sleep, regular exercise, and fruits and vegetables.
4. Stay home when sick. If your child shows signs of illness, such as a fever or persistent cough, keep them home from school. This not only helps them rest and recover but also helps prevent the spread of illness to other students and staff.
5. Teach them to avoid sharing personal items. Instruct your child not to share personal items such as water bottles, utensils, and towels with others. This reduces the risk of spreading germs.
6. Encourage coughing and sneezing etiquette. Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. If they don’t have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their elbow.
7. Disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Use disinfectant wipes or spray to clean surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, and shared classroom items regularly.

By following these steps, you can help keep your child healthy and reduce their risk of getting sick at school. However, please remember that exposure to and experience with minor infectious illnesses are essential to the development of a robust immune system.