Viral infections or are a frequent occurrence during the school season, afflicting young students mainly of pre-school but also of school age. “As in the last two years the rise of viruses has been particularly pronounced and with a long duration, it is natural that parents already with the opening of schools are concerned about how their children will cope with the viruses of the new school year,” says Maria Papadakis Director of the Metropolitan Hospital Pediatrics Clinic, reporting on ways to protect children from the viruses and to deal with them: A healthy child of infancy who goes to kindergarten may be infected with viral infection 10-15 times per school year. This is partly because the organism of young children is more vulnerable, as their immune system is not fully developed, but also because in these young ages it is harder to observe hygiene rules. Usually the most difficult year is the first, so the child’s body is first in contact with a multitude of infectious agents, mainly viruses and bacteria in the school hall. This causes many parents to postpone the beginning of school life and to transfer it to older ages or stop their children from attending kindergarten in the middle of the school year, with negative consequences for children’s psychology, but also serious socio-economic implications for families. How can we strengthen the immune system of children and thus protect them from the outbreak of viruses? The good health of children and the strengthening of their immune system is based on a three-graduate healthy diet-sport-sufficient sleep. The right diet is the basis for building a strong defence system, which will help the child to deal effectively with the viruses with which he will come into contact. Food rich in vitamins and trace elements such as vitamin A, D and E, omega-3 fatty acids, iron and selenium, are “weapons” to shield the body’s defense. It is recommended that children follow a balanced diet, including all food groups, rich in fruits and vegetables, in the standards of the Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, we should remind our children to drink often water, as insufficient hydration weakens the body and makes it more vulnerable to infections. At the same time, sport offers children physical and mental well-being, reduces stress and helps them sleep better. Small children should sleep at least 9-12 hours daily and keep a stable sleep schedule. The use of screens after afternoon hours should be avoided as it disturbs the child’s peace and prevents the sleep process. Finally, let us not forget that the most effective way to strengthen the immune system of children is to be consistent with the vaccination programme, as defined by the National Vaccination Programme for children and adolescents and implemented by the family pediatrician. According to the 2024 Children and adolescents Vaccination Programme, vaccination against influenza is recommended in all children between 6 months and 5 years of age and older children belonging to high risk groups for severe disease, such as children with chronic respiratory, cardiological or neurological problems. How can we protect children from transmission of viruses? Recently the U.S. CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) issued renewed instructions to reduce the spread of viral infections in school halls, in an attempt to limit students’ absence days from schools due to illness. These directives include practices that should be applied mainly by school workers, such as regular airing of school rooms and buses, as well as daily cleaning of the surfaces with which students often come into contact such as desks, knobs, computer keyboards, games etc. However, special emphasis is also placed on hygiene rules that students of all ages should learn to apply to protect themselves and their classmates from the transmission of infections. What hygiene rules should we teach our children? The proper hygiene of the hands is one of the most effective measures to prevent the transmission of viruses particularly in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, which are the most frequent. Studies show that proper hygiene of the hands reduces the transmission of gastroenteritis by 23-40%, respiratory infections by 15-21% and days of absence of children from school due to gastroenteritis by 29-57%! This practically means that cleansing hands can prevent illness in one of three children with gastroenteritis and one of five children with respiratory tract infection. “It is very important to teach young students not to put their hands in their mouths or noses. Moreover, we should encourage children to use the elbow rather than their hands to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze,” the expert points out. What’s the proper hygiene of the hands? Good hygiene means preferably by soap washing or alternatively using an antiseptic solution with a alcohol content of more than 60%. Hand washing is preferable because it removes pollutants, microbes and chemicals more effectively. Note that antiseptics have limited efficacy in the removal of viruses and bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, so hand washing is necessary after toilet use. Caution for pre-school students should always be used under adult supervision because there is a risk of toxicity if the antiseptic comes into contact with the child’s eyes or oral cavity. It is obvious that antiseptic solutions should be kept in places not accessible to young children. What is the right way for children to wash their hands? The steps for proper hand washing are as follows: • Wet hands with running water and then apply soap. • Rub our hands together and do not forget areas such as the dorsal (back) surface of the hands, between the fingers and under the nails. • Wash hands for at least 20 seconds. As young children do not have a good sense of time, we can help them by learning them to sing a song that has about that time, while washing their hands. • Rinse with running water and do not forget to dry our hands thoroughly by wiping them with clean towel, as moisture favours the spread of viruses. Students should learn to wash their hands regularly and especially before eating, after the toilet or playing outdoors. Let us not forget that younger children need help and supervision. When does a sick child have to stay at home and when can he go back to school? The sick child must remain at home and rest to have a faster recovery, but also to protect his classmates from transmission of the infection. In addition, it is very important that the child during the course of a virus does not stick a second virus because the convulsion, i.e. the simultaneous infection of two viruses, can lead to deterioration of the symptoms of the child. A child must remain at home if: • She has a fever • She has had more than twice the previous 24 hours • She has leaky stools • She has respiratory symptoms such as cough or severe depression, which worsen or lack improvement. The greater the symptoms of a virus, the lower the probability of transmission. Children can return to school when: • They have no fever and have not taken antipyretics more than two 24 hours • They do not vomit or leak • They show improvement in respiratory symptoms at least in the last 24 hours “Ideally children should return to school as long as they remain without symptoms for at least two 24 hours”, concludes Mrs Papadakis.
New school year and viruses: Everything you need to know
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in Hello.