Why Kids Get Sick Once School Starts Again

In acute pediatric care, there’s always a bump in patient visits during the first month of school, and there are several reasons why. Sure, some germs are actually beneficial to the development of a healthy immune system, but in general it seems like everyone is sniffling and sick this time of year. So how do you prevent common illnesses and make sure your kids don’t get sick when in school? Christina Johns, M.D. shares her tips for preventing injury and illness this time of year.

First, getting kids together in enclosed spaces like classrooms and buses means germs can be exchanged quickly and more directly. In their social interactions, children perform elaborate handshakes, huddle to whisper secrets, and share lunches and snacks. Additionally, kids seem to fire up their daredevil moves on the playground to burn off all that pent up energy, so injuries tend to increase as well. So, no, you’re not imagining things if you think that your child tends to see the doctors more during the school year.

Here are some simple ways we can help our kids stay healthy and keep injuries and illnesses down to a minimum this school year: