During their school years, children’s immune systems are put to the ultimate test. The school is often a place where huge groups of children gather. This makes it a large breeding ground for bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. Although most illnesses can be considered as minor issues, there are major diseases and contagious health problems that occur.

Here are some of the most common health issues that school-aged kids face along with how you, as a parent or guardian, can help your child avoid them.

Head Lice

Head lice are little crawling insects that nourish themselves by sucking human blood from the scalp. They thrive and multiply in human hair and their eggs are usually attached to the shafts of the hair behind the ears or at the back of the head. Although lice only cause discomfort and not a major health risk, they are still considered a risk because theyare easily spread from one child to another. This means, if left untreated, it doesn’t take long for an entire school to become infested.

Treating lice can be a bit complicated because although physicians can prescribe an anti-lice shampoo, some lice have become resistant to the pesticide. Lice can definitely be removed, however, by properly using a prescribed treatment or seeking help from a professional lice removal in Orange County. To prevent the spread of lice in schools, parents must be willing to notify the school if their child has lice so that the teachers can take the necessary measures to help your child and any others that have been in close contact, get the treatment they require.

Fifth Disease

A mild rash is a common symptom of Fifth disease but it is also characterized by sore throat, body ache, slight fever and headache. The distinctive red rash on the body can last for a few days. Since it comes only with a mild fever, children often do not feel unwell when they develop a rash. However, one important thing to remember about Fifth disease is its linkage to stillbirth and miscarriages. This means that when a student is suspected to suffer from Fifth disease, the female members of staff, especially the pregnant ones, should be notified immediately so that they can take precautions.

Chicken Pox

Chicken pox is yet another viral illness that is common among school-aged children. This disease, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is characterized by itchy red spots,which usually appear all over the body and face. To avoid the spread of this disease in school, a child with chicken pox should not be allowed to go to school for at least a week after the rash first appeared. The child is safe toreturn to school once all the blisters have dried and crusted over.

Your childs health must be of the utmost importance now that they are attending school. They spend most of their time there and although teachers and the school try to ensure that all children learn in a safe and secured environment, health issues may still occur. To help prevent this, parents need to make sure that their children get good nutrition and care to limit the risk of their child catching a contagious illness.

Jared Quips

It sure is difficult to maintain a child’s health especially when one goes to school where there are many other children to get ailment + diseases from, that is why it is a must that mums put stock on our health, by making sure we have up-to-date vaccinations, a healthy eating habit + administering vitamins + other food supplement. Trust our mums to rest on nothing to make sure that we are always in the pink of health!

This article was written by freelance writer and mother of three, Kathryn Thompson.  Follow her on Twitter: @katht35