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7 Back-to-School Flu Preparedness Tips
Posted on August 5, 2024
As summer draws to a close the new school year is fast approaching! With flu season often coinciding with the back-to-school period, taking proactive steps for flu prevention now can help children stay protected from the flu and avoid missing school due to severe illness.
Below, we share seven practical tips for back-to-school flu preparedness to make sure you and your children stay safe this flu season.
1. Flu Vaccination for Students
The statistics are clear. One of the most effective ways to prevent the flu is through vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine annually. For students, getting vaccinated before the flu season starts can significantly reduce their risk of contracting the flu and spreading it to others.
Vaccinated children are not only less likely to get sick with the flu but if they do contract the flu they are less likely to experience severe complications. Vaccinating your child also protects those who can’t get vaccinated, such as infants and people with certain medical conditions.
The flu vaccine does take about two weeks to become fully effective so make sure to schedule a vaccination appointment for your child before school starts!
2. Teach and Reinforce Proper Hand Hygiene
Children touch everything, including surfaces that can be contaminated with flu viruses. These germs can easily be transferred to their eyes, nose, or mouth. That is what makes hand hygiene a fundamental aspect of flu prevention in schools.
Make sure to encourage effective hand hygiene, such as regular handwashing, the use of sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available and teaching children to avoid touching their face, especially their eyes, nose, and mouth. These practices can significantly reduce the spread of flu viruses in schools.
3. Encourage Respiratory Etiquette
Good respiratory etiquette is another key component of school hygiene. Teach children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze and remind them to wash their hands after coughing or sneezing.
4. Promote Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Healthy lifestyle habits not only improve overall health but also enhance the body’s ability to combat illnesses like the flu. Making it a point to eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, regular exercise, and adequate sleep helps build a strong immune system that can help children fight off infections.
5. Maintain Clean and Sanitized Environments
Cleaning up after a classroom full of children is a full-time job but the custodial staff can only do so much. Germs linger on surfaces and objects that children frequently touch so regular cleaning throughout the school day is necessary. To fill in the gaps between cleaning, teachers should consider regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and desks with disinfectant spray. Parents and guardians should periodically sanitize items like backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles.
6. Keep Sick Children at Home
One of the most important tips to prevent the spread of the flu is to simply stay home if you feel sick. This is also a good tip for your child’s health and for all of those around them. If your child shows symptoms of the flu, it’s important to allow them time to recover fully before returning to school. Rest allows them to get better sooner but also helps prevent the spread of flu in the classroom so that other children are not affected.
Common Flu Symptoms
- Fever or chills
- Body aches
- Persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Fatigue
- Stomach problems (such as diarrhea) are common with children.
If your child exhibits a combination of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and follow their guidance on when it’s safe for your child to return to school.
7. Stay Informed and Prepared
The final step to getting ready for flu season is to stay informed! You can keep up with the latest information from reliable sources such as the CDC and your local health department. Follow Families Fighting Flu on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn or sign up for our monthly newsletter on our website.
As we get ready to go back-to-school a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring that your child has a healthy and successful school year!
Learn More About Families Fighting Flu
Families Fighting Flu (FFF), a national, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to honoring loved ones who have suffered serious medical complications or died from influenza, commemorates 20 years of advocacy protecting children, families, and all communities from the flu. Our 20th anniversary is a testament to our dedication and enduring efforts to protect families. It is also a sobering reminder that we are not done yet.
In sharing personal stories, FFF strives to increase awareness about the seriousness of the flu, reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths each year, drive up vaccination rates for everyone six months and older, and encourage symptomatic individuals to get tested and receive appropriate treatment. Learn more about our mission and resources here so that you can empower your family to stay healthy this flu season.
