Holy Name Press Releases

Germ Prevention 101: The Top Illnesses that Should Be on Your Radar this School Year

Holy Name Expert Offers Tips to Keep Kids and Families Healthy

September 11, 2019

Fall is fast approaching, signaling the start of a new school year - and cold and flu season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports students miss more than 22 million days of school every year because of the common cold alone. Holy Name Medical Center's experts shares simple tips on how to keep students in class and off the couch.

"Young people are more vulnerable to germs because their immune systems are not fully developed," says Harry Banschick, MD, who specializes in pediatrics at Holy Name Medical Center. "We tend to see an uptick in cases of strep, pink eye, lice, the common cold or flu, and foot and mouth disease once school is back in session. Parents should remind children and adolescents the importance of frequent hand washing and to remember to keep their hands away from and out of their eyes and mouths."

Holy Name's infectious disease chief Dr. Suraj Saggar says it's also important to be aware of the places where viruses and bacteria live and thrive in schools to reduce a student's risk of getting sick.

"Water fountains, cafeteria trays, keyboards, gym equipment, cell phones and backpacks are among some of the germiest things students can come in contact with," said Dr. Saggar. "Most diseases are transmitted by coming in direct contact with someone who is sick or by touching surfaces that are contaminated."

If your child is not feeling well or showing signs or symptoms of some of these common and treatable diseases, visit holynamemedicalpartners.org to book an appointment with a pediatrician or primary care specialist.