Does it seem like as soon as kids return to school they start coming home sick? There are a variety of factors that lead to kids catching colds or viruses that take them out of school for days. Here are some of the reasons why kids catch cold and flu viruses at school.
Why do kids tend to get sick when school starts?
There are a number of reasons why kids come home with runny noses and fevers once they return to school in the fall. Here are three of the main reasons why the start of the school year coincides with the start of cold and flu season.
1. Being around lots of new kids with new germs
One of the culprits to the spread of sickness is kids being around a lot of new people who they haven’t been around before. All the kids coming back to school bring all sorts of germs with them. Some kids have travelled to different countries during the summer where they may have picked up some foreign germs as well. Once all these kids come together, the school building becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Kids all touch the same door handles, sink faucets and paper towel dispensers. They also share crayons, play games with the same toys and little kids might still walk together holding hands. These are all avenues that enable germs to spread throughout the school.
2. Do changes in weather increase the chances of getting sick?
Some people believe that going outside when it’s cold out can lead to getting sick. Cold weather alone isn’t proven to cause sickness. It may however, weaken the immune system and make kids more susceptible to catch cold and flu viruses at school. Another factor that may cause people to get sick when the weather gets colder is that more people congregate indoors where it is easier to spread germs to one another. Regardless of whether or not the weather makes you sick it is still a good idea to keep your kids dressed with adequate layers to keep them warm when they go outside in cool weather.
3. Kids catch cold and flu viruses at school in the fall and winter
The changes in weather could be a major breeding ground for cold and flu viruses. Some research has indicated that cold and flu viruses are more easily transmitted in cooler, less humid weather. If viruses are hardier during these seasons then they can survive for a longer period of time and infect more people.
For kids to be able to focus at school they have to be feeling good. If your kids catch cold or flu viruses at school it is important that they rest at home before returning to school. Being at school when not feeling well doesn’t do much good for the sick child and there is a risk of spreading more germs to other students. Follow the school nurses orders and keep your sick child home for the recommended number of days before returning them to school.
