Back to school time means a new classroom, new friends, and new germs. The probability of wellness in such a public environment decreases; however, there are ways of protecting your child’s overall health.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate an average of three days of school missed per year due to infections spread primarily by poor hand hygiene.  Now that children are back in school, it’s especially important to practice good hand hygiene so that germs are not brought home. Proper technique includes washing hands with soap and warm water for about 20 seconds, including the back of the hand, between the fingers, and under the nails.  Children should practice hand hygiene before eating, after using the bathroom, after handling classroom pets, or if they have sneezed or coughed on their hands.  An alcohol-based sanitizer is a good substitute for hand washing and can be kept in their backpack or desk.
The importance of getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, staying physically active, and following a healthy diet cannot be emphasized enough.  Children learn from the parents/caregivers behavior.  
“Parents who practice good hand washing set the example for their kids to stay safe from germs. Good habits learned when children are young, last a lifetime,” said Kris Howell, RN, Infection Prevention Nurse at McLeod Dillon. Backpack weight is another area of concern in children and adolescents. An estimated 14,000 children are treated annually due to backpack injuries. Books are the primary teaching tools for students.  Multiple books, as well as other materials, can be a heavy load on a young person’s body. No long-term effect of this additional weight is likely. However, to decrease the potential for injury, it is not recommended for a child’s backpack to exceed 15-20% of their body weight.
“School is tough enough on children without having injuries from overloaded backpacks. Keep unnecesary items at home and clean out your children’s backpacks weekly to keep them healthy and pain free,” said Dr. Yvonne Ramirez, Pediatrician at McLeod Pediatrics Dillon.
“Practicing healthy habits at home is the important for the overall wellness of children,” said Dr. Ramirez.