Experts share a dose of prevention to keep families healthy as students head back to school

Pittsburg, Kan. (KOAM) - As children across the 4-states return to school, they’re bringing more than just backpacks and homework into the classroom. Germs, bacteria, and viruses are also tagging along, raising concerns among parents about how to keep their families healthy during the school year.

Chelsey Walker, a local mother, is spending the final days of summer vacation with her two boys, Corbin and Elijah. While enjoying these moments, she can't help but worry about the upcoming school year and the health risks it brings.

"It's inevitable," Chelsey shares. "Corbin has a great immune system. Elijah does not. So, I worry about Elijah getting sick a lot this year with Corbin going back to school."

Her concerns are not unfounded. As the school year begins, kids often bring home more than just their schoolwork. Germs, bacteria, and viruses can lead to a range of illnesses, from pinkeye to flu bugs and a constant stream of colds.

"Elijah has been sick a lot," reflecting on the previous year, Chelsey recalls.  "Like last Christmas. We ended up in the hospital, and then it was almost like clockwork. Every month after that, we would end up in the hospital. He caught every single virus, and a lot of the time, parents don't realize that whenever your kids come home, they might not show symptoms, but then they just bring it home, too."

Preventing these illnesses starts with good hygiene practices. With 80 percent of infectious diseases spread by touch, handwashing is crucial. Mercy Joplin Pediatrician Dr. Umar Mohammed emphasizes the importance of prevention and offers additional tips to keep families healthy.

"Following a schedule and making sure we're getting eight hours of undisturbed sleep will not only help us feel better in the morning but also limit our fogginess when it comes to learning new things and whatnot," says Dr. Mohammed.

Dr. Mohammed advises those who have trouble falling asleep or even staying asleep to try putting their screens down at least one hour before bedtime. He says that gives your brain a chance to wind down and signals your body that it’s time to sleep.  Dr. Mohammed further explains the impact of sleep on overall health:

"What we don't realize is if we do not follow that sleep pattern that our brain is used to, our natural melatonin production goes down, and that may keep us awake," says Dr. Mohammed.

In addition to sleep, breakfast plays a critical role in keeping kids alert and ready to learn.

"It's because of the fact that the carbohydrates that we take, our brain uses that as fuel," Dr. Mohammed explains.  "Our brain is the only organ in the body that relies heavily on carbohydrates to process information or be awake and help us learn new things."

After a day of learning, Dr. Mohammed suggests healthy snacks high in protein, carbohydrates, and natural sources to keep energy levels stable.

"Fruit snacks are huge. And then watermelon and cantaloupe—we try to do fruits and stuff like that," says Chesley Walker agreeing with Dr. Mohammed.  "And of course, if he really wants, he (Corbin) likes popcorn too, just like little stuff, not something so much on his stomach that it's going to ruin his dinner."

As the Walker family swings into another school year, they are preparing to face whatever challenges lie ahead, with a focus on staying healthy and aiming high.

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