Keep Kids Healthy, Active and Ready to Run This School Year
With a new school year underway and Girls on the Run practices just around the corner, families are settling into busy schedules and exciting routines. It's also the time of year when germs start making the rounds. Luckily, a few simple healthy habits can go a long way toward keeping kids feeling their best.
While it's impossible to avoid every cold, cough or stomach bug, Christopher Harkin, MD, an urgent care physician with SSM Health and a father himself, shares practical ways families can reduce the spread of germs this school year.
Make Handwashing a Daily Habit
One of the best ways to prevent illness is also one of the simplest: wash your hands.
"Germs get on your hands and then spread to everything you touch, from desks and pencils to water bottles and sports equipment," says Dr. Harkin.
Encourage kids to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice), especially before eating, after using the restroom and when they get home from school or practice. When soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizer is a good backup.
It's also a good idea to routinely clean frequently used items. Water bottles should be washed thoroughly every day with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. Other everyday school and sports items can be wiped down with a disinfecting wipe once or twice a week, or more often if they've been shared or exposed to germs.
Dr. Harkin recommends regularly cleaning:
Keep Personal Items Personal
Sharing can be a wonderful thing, but not when it comes to germs.
"It's important to keep personal items personal," Dr. Harkin says. "Avoid sharing water bottles, earbuds, lip balm or anything that goes near your mouth, eyes or ears."
Many common illnesses spread through shared items, making this an easy but important habit to reinforce with kids of all ages.
Help Stop the Spread of Germs
Teaching kids simple illness-prevention habits can help protect classmates, teammates, coaches and family members.
Dr. Harkin recommends:
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Cough like a vampire: Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow.
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Use tissues whenever possible: Throw used tissues away immediately.
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Stay home when sick: Rest helps recovery and prevents spreading illness to others.
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Wear a mask if needed: If someone must be around others while sick, wearing a mask can help reduce the spread of germs.
Support Health From the Inside Out
Good nutrition, sleep and movement all help support a healthy immune system.
As families settle into new school-year routines, focus on:
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Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables
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Drinking plenty of water
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Getting enough sleep each night
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Staying active through sports, play and activities like Girls on the Run
And don't forget to stay up to date on recommended vaccinations.
"Vaccines work," says Dr. Harkin. "They remain one of the safest and most effective ways to protect children from serious illnesses."
If you're unsure whether your child is due for a vaccine, check with their primary care provider or review their record through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Even with the best prevention strategies, illnesses still happen. Dr. Harkin recommends contacting a health care provider if your child experiences:
For breathing difficulties or other serious symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
Care When You Need It
Busy school schedules leave little room for sitting in a waiting room. For many mild to moderate illnesses, families can connect with an SSM Health provider through Express Virtual Care.
Available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., including weekends and holidays, Express Virtual Care offers convenient e-visits and video visits from the comfort of home. If your child's condition requires in-person testing or treatment, you won't be charged for a visit that cannot be completed virtually. Anyone can use Express Virtual Care, whether or not they have insurance or an SSM Health provider.
Learn more or get started at ssmhealth.com/visitnow.
Here's to a healthy, happy and active fall season for all our Girls on the Run participants and families! 🏃♀️🍎