Back-to-school season can be challenging. Not only is it a large adjustment for your child who is making new friends and getting back into a structured routine, but it can also be a big adjustment for the rest of the family who also has to adjust to a new routine. During this time, getting sick can add to the stress, however, the back-to-school season can cause illnesses to spread quickly. Keep reading to learn more about why illnesses spread during the back-to-school season. If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, AFC Urgent Care Back Bay is here to help. Our clinic provides convenient and affordable same-day care for college students in the Boston, MA area. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you, we’re open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm.
Common Back-to-School Illnesses
During the busy back-to-school season, illnesses tend to be common. Although many may attribute this trend to the change in the weather or increased stress. However, there are a variety of illnesses that can spread during the fall season. Illnesses tend to spread quickly during back-to-school time because children lack proper hygiene and are in close contact with each other. Many common illnesses are viral, meaning that they can spread from person to person through direct contact, touching the same surface as a sick person, or by breathing in airborne droplets released from coughing or sneezing.
Common back-to-school illnesses include:
- Strep throat
- Mono
- Colds
- The flu
- Stomach flu
- Bronchitis
How to Prevent Your Child from Getting Sick
There are many different illnesses that your child could be exposed to in the classroom. In some cases, illnesses can spread before someone even is aware that they are sick. The number one way to prevent your child from getting sick is to teach them proper hygiene. This includes proper hand washing etiquette such as how to wash their hands properly and how often to wash their hands. Sending your child to school with hand sanitizer and teaching them to sanitize regularly is also a good way to prevent the spread of illnesses. Although there are some steps that you can take to help prevent your child from getting sick, there is no way to guarantee that they won’t get sick. If you notice illness symptoms, it is important not to send them to school because they could spread their illness to other children.
When Should Your Child Skip School Due to an Illness
We are all familiar with the idea of a child scamming their way into a day off of school by pretending to be sick. Although children may take advantage of the system, there certainly are times when your child should stay home from school because they are sick. This is true even for some mild illnesses. Even if your child is not experiencing a severe illness, they may still be contagious to others. Because of this, keeping your child at home when they are sick is the right thing to do in order to prevent the spread of illnesses in classrooms. In the case of minor illnesses like a cold, you are contagious until your symptoms are gone. However, you should speak to your medical provider regarding when it is safe for your child to return to school if they’re sick.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Back Bay for Same-Day Illness Care for Children of All Ages
Having a sick child can be stressful for any family. That is why AFC Urgent Care Back Bay offers same-day illness care for patients of all ages, including children. Our walk-in clinic makes it easy for busy students in the Boston area to get illness diagnosis and treatment when it’s convenient for them. Simply walk into the clinic for same-day care! Our medical providers are board-certified and trained to identify the symptoms of common fall illnesses. Our clinic also has a lab on-site for a more accurate diagnosis. For same-day care, walk into the clinic today. We’re open from 8am-8pm 7 days a week and accept most medical insurance plans.
