Stay healthier at school: 5 common back-to-school illnesses

All students are taught to share when they’re young, but that also means unintentionally sharing plenty of germs that result in colds, flu and other infections that spread when school starts.

"Part of that is due to kids being with each other all day in a classroom," says Candace Clocker, MD, a pediatrician at Sentara Halifax Pediatrics in South Boston, Va. "They can more easily come into contact with contagious viruses."

In addition, young kids, especially, are still developing their immune systems, so they can't fight off as many viruses as teens and adults.

Fighting germs

Getting back to the basics of clean hands can help reduce the number of sick kids. Some germs spread by coughing and sneezing, for example, stick to surfaces longer than others. When kids touch the contaminated surfaces, the chain reaction of spreading sickness starts.

Teachers and parents should try to remind kids to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing. Teachers can also help kids by reminding them to wash their hands before they eat at school.

Parents can help kids roll into school with a healthier immune system by encouraging them to get plenty of sleep, good nutrition and be physically active, Clocker adds. However, even the most compliant kids will get sick.

"No matter how cautious kids and their parents are, getting sick, especially shortly after school starts, is often unavoidable," Clocker notes.

Here are the five most common childhood illnesses and advice what symptoms would merit a trip to the pediatrician's office.

Common cold

Such a common illness can make kids (and adults) feel miserable! Colds are the main culprit for missing work and school. Kids typically develop six to 10 colds each year.

Cold viruses spread through the air by touching contaminated objects. If your child has a cold without significant problems, the symptoms should go away slowly after seven to ten days.

Call your pediatrician if a cold in your school-age child leads to:

• Breathing trouble
• Nasal mucus that lasts longer than 10 to 14 days
• Cough that lasts longer than a week
• Ear pain
• Fever over 102
• Nasal mucus that lasts longer than 10 to 14 days

Asthma and allergy flare-ups

For kids who have asthma, back-to-school time can exacerbate their condition.

One reason is the increase in colds, which leads to coughs and irritated lungs. Another reason is new exposure to contaminants in school — such as dust mites, mold or chemicals — that can cause allergies or asthma flare-ups.

Ragweed is a major culprit for asthma flare-ups in the fall. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, asthma attacks spike throughout September during ragweed season. Ragweed pollen from 17 different species fills the air.

Talk to your pediatrician about planning ahead so your child is already on allergy medication before the season strikes in full. However, when school begins, kids can get out of the habit of taking their medication on time.

"For kids who may need an inhaler if they have an asthma attack at school, remember to drop one off at the beginning of the year with the school nurse for an emergency and fill out the appropriate paperwork," Dr. Coker adds.

Make an appointment with your pediatrician if you child develops a cough or wheezing that won’t go away and if their current asthma and allergy medication isn’t helping relive symptoms, Dr. Clocker says.

Stomach flu

Technically, the stomach flu is called "gastroenteritis," causing an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. A virus is usually to blame. Kids can pass on by sharing food and drinks or touching a contaminated object.

When children throw up, they can become dehydrated and may need electrolyte or oral rehydration solutions. Most cases of stomach flu resolve in 24-48 hours. Students must wait 24 hours after they last vomited to return to school.

See your pediatrician if your child:

• Can’t hold down fluids for more than a couple hours
• Complains of severe abdominal pain
• Experiences bloody vomit or diarrhea
• Has a fever that lasts several days
• Vomits for more than 24 hours or has diarrhea for several days.

Influenza (flu)

The influenza virus causes the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children (0-17 years) are the most susceptible to the flu. Kids 5 years old and younger have the greatest chance of having flu complications.

Kids and teens of any age with other long-term health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, also have a higher risk of flu complications.

The flu virus spreads through tiny droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. People can also get sick by touching an object an infected person has touched and then touching their nose, mouth or eyes.

Annual flu shots are the most effective way to prevent the spread of the flu. The CDC recommends people be vaccinated by the end of October. Allow for two weeks for the body to develop antibodies after getting the vaccine to protect against the flu.

Antiviral drugs can shorten the duration of the flu and prevent complications, but they are most effective if started within two days of getting sick. Call your pediatrician as soon as symptoms to test your child for the flu and start medication.

Strep throat

A type of bacteria called group A strep causes strep throat. Because it's a bacterial infection, strep throat needs to be treated with antibiotics. The bacteria that cause strep throat spreads through respiratory droplets.

See a pediatrician if your child experiences these strep throat symptoms:

• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite or nausea
• Painful or swollen neck glands
• Red and swollen tonsils with white patches or streaks
• Sore throat that comes on quickly and causes pain when swallowing

To test for strep, your child's provider will swab the back of the throat and use the sample for a rapid test that is ready in about 15 minutes. The provider may order a throat culture if the rapid test is negative because it can find infections that the rapid test misses. Those results take 24-48 hours.

If your child has been exposed to a sibling or classmate with strep, the incubation period is two to five days before symptoms may appear.

If you suspect your child is sick with any of these conditions, please contact your child's pediatrician.