How to avoid Germs at School
If you have got a school aged child you will be more than aware of how quickly germs can spread between classmates - and we're not just talking about the common cold virus. Sickness bugs and diarrhoea can also be easily spread.
There are number of reasons for this:
- Children are still developing antibodies so they are more susceptible to some illnesses, particularly colds and flu.
- They also tend to be more contagious for longer (i.e. they may unwittingly be passing on germs for longer than adults would before symptoms become apparent) and so those close to them have an increased chance of catching their germs.
- Finally, children tend to have no fear of personal boundaries and can be very 'hands on' when they play enabling airborne particles and germs on sticky fingers to be easily passed on.
As such, it is important to teach children about hygiene and how they can minimise their risk of catching (and passing on) germs at school, at home and in other communal places.
How germs spread
Germs tend to spread in two ways - by touch transference and through the air.
While gastric germs are usually spread by touching something that has been frequently touched by infected people (such as door handles, hand rails, desks and chairs), flu germs are literally sprayed into the air when someone coughs or sneezes. They can be projected up to a metre away and then live on a hard surface, such as a desk or table, for up to 24 hours, and a soft surface for approximately 20 minutes. Similarly if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand those droplets and the virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces subsequently touched by that person.
If you think of the close proximity of a classroom, it is inevitable that children will be exposed to germs and viruses.
Top germ busting tips
To help prevent the spread of germs, children should be encouraged to:
- Wash their hands properly - after using the bathroom, before meals and particularly when they are coughing and sneezing regularly. Antibacterial handwash and soaps such as those made by Dettol can offer added protection. Children should be encouraged to adopt a thorough hand washing technique.
- Cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze. Ideally this should be with a tissue that covers their nose and mouth and is then thrown away
- Always have a good supply of clean tissues to hand so they never run out and so that they can use a fresh tissue each time they need one
- Flush tissues away or put them in the bin immediately and then wash hands thoroughly afterwards
For more information, why not go to the Dettol germ centre for in-depth information about how to protect your child and family from germs.
