Looking After Our Children’s Health As They Return To School This New Year

30th, Jan 2023

As Winter bugs and colds become more prevalent, it is important to focus on our children’s health as they return to school in the New Year so we spoke to Dr Matt Forbes, Private GP at Kingsbridge Private Hospital about how returning to school can impact their health and how we can support them.

What hygiene tips should children follow to keep them healthy as they return to school in the New Year?

We want our kids to be happy and healthy.  The first step towards optimum health is trying to prevent illness. The saying ‘prevention is better than cure' has been used for many centuries, and like many well-worn phrases it contains a grain of truth. One of the earliest recorded instances of hand hygiene, can be traced back to the ancient civilisations of Egypt! The Egyptians used water and soap to clean their hands for personal hygiene, to prevent the spread of disease.

Ensuring good hygiene practice is essential for our kids' health in the present day.

As our kids transition back into the New Year and new term, here are a few tips to help keep kids healthy:

• Encourage your kids to sing the Alphabet or Happy Birthday song whilst washing their hands. These songs last for the desired amount of time needed to eliminate bacteria. Wash hands:  before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and before and after blowing their noses.
• Make sure your kids cover their nose and mouth with a tissue or their elbow when sneezing or coughing.
• Avoid sharing food and drinks, so germs do not spread.
• When your child is sick, keep them at home to avoid spreading illness to others.

 

Are there any winter vaccinations you would recommend children get?

Ensuring that your child's immunisations are up to date is the key!

The Northern Ireland childhood immunisation programme is intended to safeguard children from serious illnesses that could have a lasting negative impact on their wellbeing. Your child’s age, existing health issues and any other relevant information, will determine what immunisations are required.  Your GP or health visitor can give you more advice.

Vaccines work by stimulating the body's immune system to generate antibodies and other immune reactions that protect against infectious diseases. When a large portion of the population is vaccinated against a certain illness, it can create herd immunity.  This means vaccinations shield your child and others they meet from serious illness.

The flu vaccine (influenza) is an important tool in protecting children from the flu, which is a highly contagious respiratory illness.  The vaccine is typically given as a nasal spray, which contains weakened live viruses that help your child build up immunity.   It is generally recommended for children aged two and older, as well as children in primary and post-primary school up to Year 12. It is also offered to those aged six months to two years who are in a clinical risk group.

The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) recommends that children aged 5 to 11 years old should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. This is particularly important if your child has underlying health conditions.  The vaccine is given as two injections of Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech).  It is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before deciding about vaccination for your child. As a parent you will want to make an informed decision about whether it is appropriate for your child and address any specific concerns.

 

With the increasing threat of Strep A, what advice can you give parents to help prevent serious illness?

Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, is a type of bacteria that is sometimes found in the throat or on the skin and is spread by close contact, which is why good hygiene is important.  Strep A can be found in healthy people, but it can cause a range of illnesses depending on where the infection is, like throat infections, a rash that is pink or red over the body that feels rough like sandpaper known as Scarlet Fever and the skin infections Impetigo and Cellulitis.  Thankfully, most infections caused by Group A Strep are not serious and can be treated with antibiotics to prevent the infection becoming more severe.

It is only rarely that Group Strep A can cause a more serious illness known as Invasive Group A Strep.  Invasive Group A Strep occurs when the bacteria enters parts of the body where it is not normally found, such as: the blood, lung or muscles.  This is more likely in children who have weaker immune systems due to certain underlying health conditions.  The signs of invasive illness include: fever (a high temperature above 38°C), severe muscle aches, localised muscle tenderness, redness at the site of a wound, severe headaches, vomiting or diarrhoea.

A useful tool to assist you identifying if your child has Group A Strep or Scarlet Fever, including whether they have any symptoms which might be serious and what you should do, please visit the symptom checker available on the Belfast Trust Website: https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/hospitals/childrens/childrens-symptom-checker/scarlet-fever-and-group-a-strep/.

 

If you have any concerns or worries regarding your child’s health and well-being and would like to book an appointment with Dr Forbes, please text BOOKGP to 66777 or click here for further information.

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