Mailbag: BEAT Back to School Bugs
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted September 12, 2023
“I watch my grandson for a bit once he gets home from school. Can I do anything to prevent myself from getting the school kids germs?”
Darlene from Fairhope, Alabama
Hi Darlene,
Kids pick up lots of different bugs at school. They’re like little petri dishes. So, it can be difficult to avoid getting sick. But not impossible.
The most likely time for an infection to run through a school is in the first few weeks of school or after a longer break (such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or spring break).
There are two strategies for avoiding getting infected by anyone anywhere:
- distance
- personal hygiene
Creating distance is obvious. You put as much space between you and the sick person as possible. But of course, this plan has a lot of holes in it when caring for children.
What you CAN do is avoid too many hugs and snuggles when there are any clear signs of illness, such as sniffling, coughing, or fever. And keep the windows open in the car and at home (or cracked when the weather is cold).
Masking also helps create a form of “distance” between you and someone who could be sick. But I would only resort to a mask if you’re aware of an outbreak at school.
Personal hygiene boils down to two basic things… washing your hands often and keeping them off your face. And you should encourage kids to do the same.
Surprisingly, studies show that we touch our faces 20 to 25 times an hour. And the habit has only gotten worse since we all started carrying smartphones.
You don’t need to worry about using special soap either. Regular old soap and water work just fine.
Be sure to frequently clean phones, tablets, and other hand-held devices according to manufacturer directions.
Consider investing in an affordable UV light sanitizer that can zap most bugs on phones, keychains, and other high-touch items kids use during or after school. (Just be sure to purchase a quality one that backs up its claims with testing.)
Remember to also take good care of your OWN health. Keeping your immune system in tip-top shape by getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, and reducing stress will make dodging all those ugly school-kid illnesses FAR easier.
And don’t forget your immune-supporting supplements, including vitamin D, A, C, and probiotics.
With a few small steps, you can AVOID most of the germs roaming school hallways this year and ENJOY the time you spend with your grandson instead.
P.S. Serve up this Immune System Hero for dinner!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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