Viruses return with the return to school
Catarrhs, tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, flu ... They appear throughout the school year and disturb the children and their families. One of the questions that probably assaults all parents is How to know if we should leave them at home or take them to school.
But with the arrival of the school, the fearsome viruses and contagions also arrive. Changes in temperature and physical contact between them is a breeding ground for these microorganisms to be born and reproduce.
Dr. Paloma Nacher, neonatologist at Hospital La Milagrosa in Madrid, explains that sometimes the virulence of these disorders is so slight that it is not necessary to stop attending school. However, at other times, the child's condition requires convalescence at home. Y other times, for prevention, it is preferable not to go to class to avoid contagion to the other companions. In any case, it is always advisable to follow the instructions of the medical professional who will be the one who can evaluate the need to save some rest at home or to live a normal life.
As Paloma Nacher indicates, "in these cases we have to appeal to common sense, if the child has had a bad night, has diarrhea or vomiting and even fever, it is better to stay at home, for him and for others; If you only have symptoms of a mild catarrh and there is no physical discomfort or fever, you can go to the nursery or school. "
It also points out the need to pay special attention to the babies that attend infant schools and they have not completed one year. Although they have been vaccinated against pertussis, polio and pneumococcus since two months, it is true that they are in a risk group.
The best prevention: wash your hands
Prevention is a fundamental measure that we must adopt both at home and in day care centers, to avoid, as far as possible, the spread of the virus.
One of the most effective actions is the frequent washing of hands, especially if you are in contact with children or in charge of them. For example, it is essential to wash your hands before preparing or touching any food or kitchen utensil and always after going to the bathroom, setting the table, eating, cleaning children or handling diapers, sneezing, coughing and blowing, being with a sick or play with a pet.
Viruses and bacteria
According to Dr. Nacher, there is no single list of possible viruses and bacteria that a child may suffer throughout the school year. It is important to assess each case individually to make the best diagnosis. But we can talk about a series of infectious diseases that have become the most common:
- Stomach flu. The first symptoms that appear may be lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. In the case of babies, these symptoms may be accompanied by irritability usually caused by gastric pain, more serious and mimosa than usual and drowsiness. It is recommended that children do not go to school until 48 hours after the disappearance of symptoms.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis. It tends to show tearing and mucus secretion through the tear duct. In this case, it is recommended not to take the child to school until 24 hours after beginning treatment.
- Hand, mouth and foot syndrome. It is a condition caused by several viruses that affects to a greater extent in infants and children under five years. In general, the disease is mild and almost all patients recover from seven to ten days without medical treatment. Symptoms begin with fever, less desire to eat, sore throat and feeling sick. One or two days after the onset of the fever, painful sores may appear in the mouth. A rash may also develop on the skin of the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, with flat red spots. Although it is true that it is more contagious in the incubation period, you should not attend daycare until remission, like any other viral, potentially contagious.
- Bronchiolitis. It is a disease of the respiratory system and affects the tiny airways called bronchioles that flow into the lungs. The inflammation of these routes causes them to swell and fill with mucus, which makes breathing difficult. It is a common disease and sometimes serious. The most frequent cause is the respiratory sinicial virus (RSV). It is very common in infants and children because their airways are small and clogged more easily. It is a serious illness that sometimes requires hospitalization. It usually occurs more frequently between three and six months of age and disappears as the child grows and his lungs mature. The virus spreads if it comes into direct contact with the secretions of the nose and throat of someone who has the disease. It is important that the child does not fatigue doing normal activities and is fully recovered before returning to school.
- Infectious erythema. It is the appearance of a mild exanthematic process (diffuse macular reddening of the skin), very common in children. Appears in the form of outbreaks during school time and affects both girls and boys. Symptoms: redness of the cheeks, rash on the trunk and extremities, joint pain and malaise. Once the treatment begins you can return to your normal life after 24-48 hours.
- Common cold. As the name indicates, it is common for the child to suffer several catarrhal processes throughout the school year. It is a very contagious pathology during the first days and it spreads easily in places like schools or nurseries. It usually begins with rhinorrhea or nasal discharge, nasal congestion, coughing and sneezing, sore throat, headache and may even present fever between 38 to 39º C.
Dr. Paloma Nacher. Neonatologist Hospital La Milagrosa (Madrid)
