How to Prevent the Dreaded Back to School Plague from Wreaking Havoc on Your Household

Now that back to school season is in full swing, not only do parents have to focus on getting their children back on a daily routine, they also need to brace themselves for the inevitable: the back-to-school sicknesses that are all too common this time of year.

Now that back to school season is in full swing, not only do parents have to focus on getting their children back on a daily routine, they also need to brace themselves for the inevitable: the back-to-school sicknesses that are all too common this time of year.

We've all been there. Dealing with children with itchy eyes, shortness of breath, coughs, chest pain, and sniffly noses. It seems that no matter what you do, your child will always come down with a cold that puts your whole home out of whack. But, luckily, there are some fool-proof tips and tricks that can help you prevent illness right where it starts, the germ-filled classroom.

Follow these tips and you'll be prepared to fight whatever illness comes your way

• Don't forget to vaccinate
  A great time to keep your child's vaccinations up to date is during the back to school season. Being completely vaccinated will give your child a boost when it comes to fighting off any sicknesses their classmates have.


• Keep the veggies and the orange juice coming
  A healthy diet is the best way to maintain a healthy immune system. Feed your child healthy foods, including a complete breakfast, every day so they can stay strong.


• Drink up
  Along with healthy food, staying properly hydrated is crucial for flushing toxins out of the body and for staying alert. Pack a water bottle for your child's lunch, and encourage that they refill it a couple times during the school day so they have enough energy.


• Stock up on hand sanitizer
  It sometimes is unrealistic to assume your child will wash their hands every time they need to. So stock them up with some hand sanitizer, which will at least keep germs off their hands until they have time to properly wash.
  
  

If it looks like your child is coming down with a cold make sure to head to a 24 hour walk in clinic right away. Not only are these clinics more flexible when it comes to seeing medical professionals right away, they are cheaper than you'd expect. Average reimbursement for an urgent care visit is about $103 per patient, compared to $302 of a hospital's ER. 

The best way to ensure your child's illness doesn't get worse is to make sure they stay home, where the germs can't find them. If you're still worried, head to a 24 hour walk in clinic at the first sign of sickness, and your child will be in good hands in no time.