Kids Are Back to School, and So Are Germs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Health Optimal in Surprise, AZ

As summer officially closes its curtains, schools will soon start back up. But before kids flock back to the hallways and classrooms of schools, come the necessary preparation time to ensure your kids are ready for what school has to bring.

Kids will need new school supplies and new clothes to help them prepare to learn new things.

As kids swarm back to school, reunite with old friends, and meet new people, a new classmate also makes their way through school hallways and classrooms: germs, viruses, bacteria, and allergies.

Having kids huddled together in a closed area makes them more susceptible to passing around germs that can cause illnesses and worsen or trigger allergies. This makes it more crucial than ever to take proactive steps to ensure your kids’ optimal health as back-to-school season begins.

Surprise! Arizona Is Actually Not an Allergy Haven

There is a long-withstanding belief that warmer climates, like that of the state of Arizona, are an allergy haven, providing relief for those who suffer from allergies. This is, however, far from the truth.

In reality, Arizona is a particularly difficult place to live for allergy sufferers. The state has a dry and warm climate, allowing for unique vegetation and a much larger growing season. An all-year growing season means there are different types of plants growing and pollens traveling through the air all year round.

Additionally, Arizona is particularly known for its breezy and windy climate. This allows pollens to easily travel through the air, spreading for miles at a time.

Due to these factors, allergy season in Arizona all all year round, depending on your allergies:

• Summer: Summer Arizona allergies are mainly caused by grass and weed allergens.
• Fall: Fall allergies are often due to the continuation of ragweed pollination, which is typically at its peak during this time.
• Winter: As the climate gets colder, vegetation would usually half during the winter season. This is when allergy sufferers will find some temporary relief.
• Spring: Spring is usually when allergies are at their peak and trees will often pollinate heavily during this season.

Common allergens in Arizona include pollen, ragweed, tumbleweed, bermuda grass, mulberry trees, ryegrass, juniper trees, and Arizona fescue.

As kids go back out into the world and back into school, allergy season is also working hard. Common allergy symptoms like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, headaches, and fatigue are very hard to deal with. What more for young kids who are trying their best at school?

5 Ways to Keep Kids Healthy for School

On top of getting new school supplies and clothes ready for back-to-school season, parents should get kids ready so they are in optimal health throughout the new school year. Here are practical ways how you can keep your child safe from germs, viruses, and the allergy season:

1. Encourage frequent hand washing

Frequent hand washing is a simple habit, yet it will make a huge difference in getting rid of germs and preventing them from going around from one kid to another.

Children should wash their hands before and after eating, after going to the bathroom, after playing, and after using shared items. Teach them to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, as this is the optimal time to wash away the dirt and germs. This is equivalent to singing two ‘Happy Birthday’ songs from start to end.

2. Don’t share personal items

Germs and viruses are easily passed around via saliva and droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person.

Teach your kids to never share personal items like water bottles or utensils. When kids aren’t taught the dangers of sharing such items, germs and viruses are bound to be passed around.

Buy your child their own items for personal use and label them accordingly. Also, teach them to never lend out these items.

3. Keep vaccinations up to date

A child’s number-one defense against germs and contracting viruses is vaccination. Before school officially starts, ensure that your child has up-to-date vaccinations. The basics should be COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines to get you started.

If you’re especially concerned about allergy season in your area, you might want to get an allergy test. This will let you know what allergens your child has to avoid and if there are allergy medications that can help with symptoms.

4. Boost immunity and strengthen defense

You can further strengthen your child’s defense against germs, viruses, and allergies by boosting their immune system.

Keep children in a healthy diet of proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables. Hydration is also important, so make sure they drink plenty of water.

Additionally, adequate sleep will keep their bodies strong and healthy:

• 10 to 13 hours for 3 to 5-year-olds
• 9 to 12 hours for 6 to 12-year-olds
• 8 to 10 hours for 13 to 18-year-olds

5. Bathe your kids immediately after getting home from school

Pollen counts can be high in Arizona, especially during peak seasons. After your kids get home from school, immediately get them out of their outdoor clothes and in the bath. This will remove any allergens, germs, viruses, and bacteria they picked up from spending time outdoors and prevent them from spreading throughout your home.

Conclusion: Kids Don’t Have to Get School in School

As children go back to school, so do germs and viruses. Add to these allergens that freely travel the Arizona air. It can be tough when kids get sick and it can impact their studies.

Ensure your kids stay healthy this school year! As a parent, prioritizing your children’s well-being is essential to prevent any obstacles that could hinder their learning experience.