Common Illnesses Kids Pick Up at School: Parent's Survival Guide
Quick Answer: When kids start school, they inevitably catch illnesses - it's how they build immunity. The most common are colds (6-8 per year!), stomach bugs, pink eye, ear infections, and hand-foot-mouth disease. Most are viral and resolve with rest and fluids. Your job: know when to keep them home, when to see a doctor, and how to prevent spread. Good news - they get sick less often as they get older!
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Why School = More Sick Days
Watch: Common Childhood Illnesses Explained
Schools are germ-sharing environments:
Close contact with many children
Shared toys, books, surfaces
Common bathrooms
Young immune systems still learning
Kids touch everything (then their faces!)
The Good News
Getting sick actually helps!
Each illness builds immunity
By school age, frequency decreases
Most illnesses are mild and self-limiting
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Top 10 School Illnesses (Quick Reference)
Illness
Main Symptoms
Duration
Contagious?
**Common Cold**
Runny nose, cough
7-10 days
Very
**Stomach Bug**
Vomiting, diarrhea
1-3 days
Very
**Hand-Foot-Mouth**
Mouth sores, rash
7-10 days
Very
**Pink Eye**
Red, itchy eye, discharge
3-7 days
Yes (bacterial)
**Ear Infection**
Ear pain, fever
3-5 days
Not directly
**Flu**
High fever, body aches
5-7 days
Very
**Strep Throat**
Severe sore throat, fever
Until treated
Yes
**Head Lice**
Itchy scalp, nits
Until treated
Contact required
**Impetigo**
Crusty sores
Until treated
Yes
**Ringworm**
Red ring-shaped rash
Until treated
Yes
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Managing the Big Five
1. The Common Cold
What you'll see:
Runny or stuffy nose
Cough
Mild fever
Tiredness
Home care:
Rest and fluids
Honey for cough (over 1 year)
Saline drops for congestion
Humidifier
School status: Keep home if fever or too uncomfortable
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2. Stomach Bugs (Gastroenteritis)
What you'll see:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Fever
Home care:
Small, frequent sips of ORS/fluids
BRAT diet when ready (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
Rest
School status: Keep home until 24-48 hours after last episode
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3. Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
What you'll see:
Fever
Painful mouth sores
Rash on hands, feet (sometimes buttocks)
Home care:
Cold foods and drinks
Pain relief for mouth sores
Avoid acidic/spicy foods
School status: Can return when fever-free and sores are healing
School status: Bacterial - return 24h after starting drops. Viral - when comfortable
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5. Ear Infections
What you'll see:
Ear pain (tugging at ear in babies)
Fever
Fussiness, trouble sleeping
Sometimes fluid draining
Home care:
Pain relief (ibuprofen/acetaminophen)
Warm compress
Many resolve without antibiotics
School status: Can attend if comfortable and no fever
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The "Keep Home or Send?" Decision
Keep Home If:
Sign
Reason
Fever (37.5°C+)
Contagious and uncomfortable
Vomiting/diarrhea
Contagious, needs fluids
Severe symptoms
Too sick to learn
Contagious rash
Spreads to others
Pink eye with discharge
Highly contagious
Can Go to School If:
Mild cold symptoms, no fever
Feeling well enough to participate
24 hours fever-free (without medication)
On antibiotics 24+ hours
Condition isn't contagious
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Prevention at Home
Daily Habits
Habit
How to Implement
**Handwashing**
Before meals, after bathroom, when home from school
**Don't share**
Water bottles, utensils, lip balm
**Cover coughs**
Into elbow, not hands
**Stay home when sick**
Prevents spreading
Immune Support
Balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, protein)
9-12 hours sleep (depending on age)
Regular physical activity
Up-to-date vaccinations
Manage stress
Prepare the Home
Keep thermometer handy
Stock ORS, paracetamol, saline drops
Have sick-day foods ready
Plan for work absences
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When to Call the Doctor
See Doctor Today If:
High fever (above 39°C)
Fever lasting more than 3 days
Signs of dehydration
Severe ear or throat pain
Difficulty breathing
Symptoms worsening after improvement
Emergency Signs:
Struggling to breathe
Blue lips or face
Stiff neck with fever
Won't wake up or very drowsy
Seizure
Signs of severe dehydration
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Antibiotic Reality Check
Illness
Need Antibiotics?
Common cold
NO - viral
Flu
NO - viral (antivirals different)
Stomach bug
NO - usually viral
Hand-foot-mouth
NO - viral
Ear infection
Sometimes - many resolve alone
Strep throat
YES - bacterial
Pink eye
Depends on type
Important: Using antibiotics for viral infections doesn't help and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Trust your doctor's assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My child gets sick constantly. Is their immune system weak?
A: Probably not! Children in school/daycare get 8-12 infections per year - this is normal. If they recover normally and are growing well, their immune system is working fine. Frequency decreases with age.
Q: Should I keep my child home for a mild cold?
A: If no fever and child feels well enough to participate, school is fine. Mild sniffles are nearly constant in school-age children, especially in winter.
Q: How long is my child contagious?
A: Varies by illness. Generally, most contagious in first 2-3 days of symptoms. Fever is a good marker - consider them contagious while febrile.
Q: Can I send my child to school with medicine?
A: Depends on school policy. Coordinate with school nurse. Never send a child who needs fever medicine to control fever - they're still sick!
Q: How do I strengthen my child's immunity?
A: Sleep, nutrition, exercise, and vaccines are the foundation. No supplement or product dramatically "boosts" immunity. Getting sick and recovering actually is how immunity builds.
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Key Takeaways
Expect 8-12 illnesses per year for school-age kids - it's normal
Most are viral and resolve with rest and fluids
Keep home if: Fever, vomiting, too sick to participate
