September means getting the children back to school, and some kind of normality and routine for many families across the UK. It is well-known that classrooms, particularly in Primary Schools, can be a hot bed for germs and bacteria. Having worked in Primary Schools for many years, I know the lower down the age groups you go, the more contact you have with bodily fluids and the more physical contact there is, making avoiding the bugs very difficult.

Colds/Flu
The common cold ripples through the classroom from snotty nose to snotty nose and ends up infecting your whole house. Nothing strikes fear into fresh faced teaching staff than a child coughing or sneezing in class! Not only will colds make your child feel physically unwell, they will also struggle to focus in class, especially if they are having difficulty sleeping due to a blocked nose or cough. Over the counter medicines can help relieve the symptoms, along with plenty of fluids and rest.

Stomach Bugs/ Norovirus
The nausea, vomiting, pain and diarrhoea that can come with a stomach bug are one of the worst common illnesses for anyone, especially for a child to suffer with. Unfortunately, not much can be done once this bug has taken hold. Just remember to sip water and have a designated sick bowl to hand – much easier for younger children than rushing to the toilet in time and, let’s be honest, much nicer for you than having your head stuck in a toilet. If it lasts longer than 24 hours or you are concerned, contact your GP.

Headlice
Not exactly an illness, but just as much of a school annoyance that can spread like wildfire amongst children and is often one of the hardest to banish for good. The nasty little critters will make your head itch as they crawl around and bite you, to feast on your blood. The lice themselves can be caught in nit combs readily available from most pharmacies. The eggs, however, are more difficult to get rid of. If you find any nits in your child’s hair, use a headlice shampoo or spray treatment that kills the lice and eggs and repeat combing for a week to remove any left over.

Some basic tips to teach your children from a young age will help minimise the chances of catching all of the above and the risk of spreading it through the family:

• Washing hands well and regularly (20 seconds, front and back – not forgetting in-between fingers)
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue and throw it in a bin
• Once a week comb through your child’s hair with a nit comb after washing
• Get between 9-12 hours sleep a night
• Exercise daily