Back to School Health: 5 Common Illnesses Parents Should Know About
As another exciting school year kicks off at VERSO International School in Bangkok, we’re all eager to see our students return to the classroom, ready to learn and grow. But along with the beginning of the school year also comes the higher likelihood of prevalent illnesses spreading among children. Although we implement all the necessary steps for maintaining a healthy surrounding environment at VERSO, parents would certainly benefit from identifying any health issues that could arise throughout the academic year.
Here are five common illnesses that parents should keep an eye on as children head back to school.
The Common Cold
When the common cold affects your child, it might seem anything but "common" despite its name. Because of close contact, shared surfaces, and regular group events, colds—which are viral infections—tend to spread quickly in school environments. The major offenders are: Sneezing, coughing, and face touching.
Typical symptoms include coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and perhaps an elevated temperature. Although the typical cold typically isn't serious, it may cause discomfort and a loss of school days. Simple yet effective measures to lower your child's cold risk include encouraging frequent hand washing and educating them not to share personal belongings like water bottles.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Particularly common among younger students, hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral virus that usually affects children under five but may also impact older students. Usually causing fever, painful oral sores, and a rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks.
Though HFMD is often mild and goes away on its own in one week, it is very infectious. Although we at VERSO maintain strict hygienic standards to stop the spread of HFMD, parents should keep a careful eye on their children particularly if they see blisters or rashes. Should your child exhibit any symptoms of HFMD, keep them at home to stop the risk of transmitting it to others.
Source: Bumrungrad Hospital
Influenza (Flu)
Bangkok's flu season frequently coincides with the beginning of the academic year. More than simply an unpleasant cold, influenza—also known as the flu—symptoms include high fever, body aches, tiredness, and headaches may leave children feeling sick and fatigued for days. Particularly in young children or people with existing medical issues, the flu may cause more significant issues than the average cold.
We highly advise parents to get yearly flu vaccinations for their children. It is one of the most effective ways to guard not just your child but also the broader VERSO community from seasonal flu epidemics.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Another disease readily spreading in schools is conjunctivitis, also known as "pink eye." Usually resulting from either a bacterial or viral infection, pink eye produces redness, irritation, and ocular discharge. Coming into direct contact with contaminated hands or surfaces will likely lead to a spread in the infection.
Should your child exhibit pink eye symptoms—such as watery or inflamed eyes—you should try to keep them home until the illness passes. Generally speaking, bacterial conjunctivitis may be treated with antibiotic drops; viral instances will clear on their own in a few days.
Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)
Often known as the stomach flu, gastroenteritis may rapidly spread across classrooms and provide a rather uncomfortable experience for families and children. Among the symptoms include stomach pains, diarrhea, and vomiting. Although viruses like norovirus or rotavirus are often the cause, bacterial infections may also be responsible.
Dealing with stomach sickness, hydration is crucial as children may get dehydrated more easily than usual. To stop the illness from spreading within the school community, we advise parents to keep children at home should they have vomiting or diarrhea and take care to constantly monitor symptoms.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
As we navigate the school year, it's crucial to be aware of the growing cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) among our students. Recently, we confirmed two cases of RSV in our Early Years learners at VERSO. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can affect individuals of all ages, but it tends to be more severe in young children.
Common Symptoms of RSV:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Decrease in appetite (both eating and drinking)
- Difficulty breathing, such as wheezing or panting
Symptoms of RSV can range from mild cold-like symptoms to more severe respiratory conditions, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. If your child shows any of these symptoms, particularly difficulty breathing, please seek medical attention promptly. Your child's healthcare provider can evaluate their condition and provide the necessary care.
To help prevent the spread of RSV and other respiratory illnesses within our school community, we strongly encourage all parents to ensure that their children wear masks, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. These preventive measures are essential for reducing transmission risk, especially among young children.
Tips for Staying Healthy in Bangkok
Our primary concern at VERSO is student health and well-being; we regularly interact with parents to make sure our students can flourish in a healthy and sanitary environment. At home, there are some simple routines you can stick to, to help your child maintain health all through the academic year:
Teach your child to wash their hands thoroughly and often—especially before meals and after bathroom use.
Remind your child not to share food, beverages, or utensils with other children and to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze.
Should your child exhibit signs of any illness, it is advisable to have them stay home until they have fully recovered. This safeguards other students as well as gives your child the chance to feel better and recover fully.
A balanced diet and enough water build a robust immune system. This involves making sure your child consumes plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
Working Together to Create a Healthy School Year
At VERSO, we firmly believe that maintaining the health of our children depends on the close cooperation between parents and the school. Together, we can create an environment that supports a successful and efficient school year for every one of our students by keeping updated about common illnesses and acting preventatively.
Do not hesitate to speak with our school nurse or administrative staff if you have any questions or concerns about the health or school policies involving the sickness of your child. Let's make this school year one of learning, development, and excellent health!
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