Back-to-School Infections and Beyond: Know Where To Go for Care

By: Emory Healthcare
Date: Sep 6, 2024
Primary CareHealth and WellnessEmergency CarePreventive Care
backtoschoolinfections2000x1330

Back-to-school time means your kids may soon be coming home with sniffles, sneezes or other infectious symptoms from being in close proximity with other kids. After all, classrooms are perfect spaces for bacteria and viruses to spread between students.

 

Healthy Habits That Keep Kids Safe

Kids will likely be exposed to colds, pink eye, influenza, stomach viruses, COVID-19 and more. So, what more can you do? Here are a few ideas:

  • Encourage good hygiene. Good handwashing is one of the best ways to keep your kids healthy at home and at school. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or they can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if there is no visible dirt. Also, make sure your child knows to always cough or sneeze into an elbow to prevent spreading germs to others.
  • Maintain a good sleep schedule. Children and adolescents who don’t get enough sleep are at higher risk for many health issues, including an immune system that doesn’t function at its optimal level. Ensuring they get the right amount and quality of sleep will help their bodies to operate at their best. As an added bonus, it will also help their focus and overall academic performance.
  • Make sure your child is up to date on vaccines. The CDC recommends all children and adolescents follow its vaccination schedule to help prevent serious illnesses, such as influenza (flu), meningococcal disease, varicella (chickenpox) and whooping cough (pertussis). Additionally, the CDC recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for everyone older than 6 months. You can also read the CDC's recommendations for reducing the risk of respiratory viruses in young children.
  • Stay hydrated. Hydration is important. Since bacteria and viruses can be found on drinking fountains, teach your child to let the water run before drinking and to avoid touching the fountain with their mouth. You can also send them to school with a water bottle in their backpack (as long as they understand it shouldn’t be shared).

stethoscope

Primary care is the key to long-term health.

Your primary care provider is at your side for all your health care needs. Make an appointment online, find a provider or call 404-778-7777 to schedule an appointment.

Allergy Alert

Here in Atlanta, ragweed pollen blooms in August and is at its peak in September. In addition to ragweed, tree pollens can also be blamed for allergies. If your child suffers from allergies, talk to their pediatrician about whether allergy medication can help.

Allergy symptoms include:

  • Congestion
  • Coughing
  • Fatigue
  • Itchy eyes, nose, and scratchy throat
  • Headache
  • Sneezing

Learn more about allergies

 

Learn Where To Go When It’s Not Life-Threatening

If your child comes down with a back-to-school infection, start by seeing your pediatrician, family doctor or primary care physician (PCP). These medical professionals are already familiar with your child’s health history. If you can’t get an appointment at a time that works for you or your doctor’s schedule is booked up, don’t stress. You have options:

  • MinuteClinics are a good alternative if you need to see a health care provider sooner than you can see your PCP, or if you need care outside of your PCP’s normal office hours. MinuteClinics can treat many minor illnesses and injuries, and prescribe medications.
  • Urgent care centers can also treat serious, but not life-threatening, illnesses or injuries — and they are open at times your PCP is not.

 

Know Where (and When) To Get Emergency Care

Unfortunately, playground accidents and back-to-school injuries can happen. In addition to bumps and bruises, your child might show signs of an urgent condition. Go to the nearest Emergency Room if your child experiences:

  • Blood in the mouth when coughing or vomiting
  • Broken bones
  • Chest or upper abdominal pain
  • Confusion or other changes in mental status
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting, dizziness, weakness, or trouble moving
  • Head or neck injury
  • Seizures
  • Sudden changes in vision
  • Sudden or severe pain
  • Severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting
  • Suicidal or homicidal feelings
  • Uncontrollable bleeding

If you take your child to the ER, have key information ready for the nurse or doctor. Keep track of when symptoms started, how they progressed and how long they’ve lasted. It’s also helpful to bring a list of any medications your child has taken.

 

Primary care is the key to long-term health. 

About Emory Primary Care

For all your health care needs—preventive, acute and chronic—your primary care provider, or PCP, will be at your side, offering education, support and inspiration.

Our PCPs work within a sophisticated care team model that includes advanced practice providers, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners. All providers have specialized training and provide patient- and family-centered care. This approach ensures all treatments, medications, therapies and recommendations are as effective and timely as possible.

When you choose any one of our PCPs, you also receive access to specialists in Georgia’s most comprehensive academic health system. They can coordinate your care with other Emory providers in more than 70 specialties and have access to more than 1,000 clinical trials. With the variety of backgrounds, interests and experiences our providers have – in locations across metro-Atlanta – you’re sure to find one who’s a good match for you.

Related Posts

  • Family walking in a forest
    Five Outdoor Safety Tips To Avoid an Emergency
    Having spine surgery is a big decision, and it’s in your best interest to ask questions so you know how to prepare, and what to expect.
  • a woman scratches her arm
    How To Recognize Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac and Treat Rashes from Them
    Learn to recognize and avoid poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac and where to go to treat rashes from them.
  • man helping woman hold a towel on her head
    The Difference Between Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
    Learn the signs and symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as the best way to prevent and treat each heat illness.
Primary CareHealth and WellnessEmergency CarePreventive Care
Emory Health Source Newsletter

For more stories and health and wellness tips, sign up for our monthly newsletter.

 

Sign Up

Recent Posts