Throwback Thursday: Back to School Cooties

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Beijingkids has been an essential family resource for Beijing international families since 2006. And just as kids grow up in the blink of an eye, Beijing has grown and changed almost beyond recognition in that time. In Throwback Thursday we jump in the time machine, traveling through our 14 year-strong blog archives to dig out the most entertaining, fascinating, and thought-provoking stories for your reading pleasure. Ready? Let’s go…

This week students in Beijing are getting ready for the most unusual back to school they’ve ever experienced. With staggered returning, grid management, and even restrictions on food services, this school year is off to a cautious start. But hey, at least it’s starting!As our summer intern Jack He, a student at Keystone Academy, wrote, “In previous years, my excitement for school came from a mix of wanting to get away from my family and guilt for being irresponsible and unproductive over the summer. (I’ve just described a stereotypical teenager who is rebellious and has no direction in life, I know). However, this year I’m excited for different reasons. First, this year is bound to be different. Our first two weeks of school will be conducted online, again. My personal views on online learning are mixed. COVID-19 has affected education in unexpected ways, some positive and others not.”But putting aside the excitement of seeing classmates again, the big topic on every parent’s mind is still going to be COVID-19. The Beijing Municipal Education Commission has put into place multiple countermeasures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus, but that’s not the only back to school illness lurking around the corner. As our writer Andy Penafuerte III reminded us back in 2018, there are plenty of other illnesses that parents should be on the lookout for and tips on how to prevent them. 

Upper respiratory tract infections

Illnesses include common colds and the flu, which are caused by various viruses, including rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus, and the enteroviruses.Prevention tip: Viruses that cause this kind of illness are usually airborne, therefore they can easily propagate. The most important way of preventing the spread of these viruses is through proper hand hygiene (washing hands thoroughly with soap or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers). To reduce the chances of their getting these diseases, we should help kids maintain a strong immune system by allowing them to get enough sleep and encouraging them to eat nutritious foods.Managing the sickness: Kids should be properly hydrated and have enough time to rest. Using anti-fever medications will help alleviate fever and body pains.

Pink eye

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is highly contagious and can be a result of a viral infection (in most cases) or allergy.Prevention tip: Make sure that kids wash their hands properly and frequently. They shouldn’t touch their eyes, because the microbes that cause conjunctivitis can easily spread.Managing the sickness: The viral type of conjunctivitis resolves on its own, even without treatment. If there’s a yellow/green discharge in the eye, it is the bacterial type and can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment, prescribed by your family doctor.

Strep throat

Strep throat is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes severe sore throat, a sudden onset of fever, and body pain like headaches or stomachaches.How it is spread: Since strep throat is caused by bacteria that can also cause pharyngitis, it can be easily spread through direct contact.Managing the sickness: Doctors need to test with a swab to know which type of bacteria caused the illness. While strep throat resolves within a few days, taking antibacterial medication is recommended to reduce the risk of other complications such as rheumatic fever. Pain medication like paracetamol can be used to alleviate fever.

Stomach infection

Gastroenteritis or stomach infection is caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites affecting the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to dehydration, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes fever.Prevention tip: Gastroenteritis may be caused by food or water contamination, so proper handling and cooking of food as well as sanitation is very important.Managing the sickness: Stomach infection usually resolves within a week, but if there is recurring pain, vomiting, or blood in the stool, the child should be seen by a doctor. Give kids sips of clear liquids to help them stay hydrated.

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Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) can affect everyone regardless of their age. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat and mouth ulcers, rashes, and small blisters on the palms of hands, soles of feet, and poor appetite.Prevention tip: HFMD is highly contagious and can spread within the same family. At the moment, there’s no vaccine available so maintaining good hygiene, washing hands frequently and properly, as well as avoiding contact with those infected will reduce the risk of infection.Managing the sickness: Patients who are recovering require adequate rest and hydration. Since the sickness also causes mouth ulcers, eating popsicles or cold food can help alleviate the pain and keep the patient hydrated as well.

Lice infestation

Lice infestation spreads through direct contact with the hair or head of other infected children. Lice feed on blood but cannot burrow into the skin.Prevention tip: Do not share combs or hairbrushes with infected children.Managing the infestation: There are over-the-counter treatments like topical lotions and shampoos, as well as natural products, but they are not always 100 percent effective. Pediatricians can give prescription medications if the symptoms like visible lice or itching of the scalp persist.

Allergies

Allergies like allergic rhinitis can appear as an upper respiratory infection, but usually, they don’t involve coughs or nasal stuffiness. Food allergies are also a concern, especially because they can trigger a severe immune response.Managing allergies: For parents and teachers, check if there are places in the classroom that emit dust or any other allergens. If a child has a food allergy, it’s better to bring a packed lunch or inform school authorities of the condition.While it’s always distressing to see your child unwell, these illnesses are a common part of childhood, and experiencing them actually strengthens the immune system. As parents, we can keep kids healthy by letting them sleep 8-10 hours a day, as well as giving them nutritious foods and getting them all the recommended immunizations. If your child has fever or colds, or is vomiting or suffering from diarrhea, it’s better to keep them at home to recuperate than to risk infecting others. Don’t wait for these symptoms to worsen before going to a doctor.

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Photos: Pexels, Unsplash 

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