“Did you remember your lunch money?”
“Did you do your homework?”
“Do you remember where your classroom is?”
It’s that time of the year again :: back to school. We’ve all spent weeks preparing. The pencils have been sharpened, the first day of school outfit has been purchased, and the school supply list has been checked {and probably even double checked}. We’ve met the teachers, reviewed the schedule, and bought the textbooks.
But as we are sending our kids back to school, we need to ask ourselves…have we done as much to prepare our children to be healthy as we have to be academically successful? Schools and day cares can be breeding grounds for germs, and all too often kids come home sick in the first few weeks of school. The last thing we want is a call from the school nurse saying our little one isn’t feeling well.
Dr. Luu, a pediatrician with our sponsor Urgent Care for Kids, says the most common back-to-school illnesses are ::
- Strep throat
- Eye infections
- Ear infections
- Cold viruses
- Influenza
- Head lice
- Gastroenteritis {the stomach flu}
- Asthma exacerbations
While we can’t protect our children from everything, there are steps we can take to build their defenses against sickness.
Live a healthy lifestyle
“Parents can keep their kids healthy by making sure that their children eat a balanced diet and that they get enough sleep. Exercise is also important in their daily routine,” says Dr. Luu. Need some tips for healthy food? Check out this blog post for great ideas!
Stay up to date
Don’t forget to have regular check-ups with your pediatrician. It’s also important to stay up to date with immunizations too.
Practice good hygiene
It seems basic, but remind your little ones to cover their cough with the inside of their elbow, wash their hands, don’t share utensils, and don’t put their hands in their mouth! Also, if your kiddo is sick, keep them home. The stomach bug can spread like wildfire, so putting it out early is crucial! Plus, other parents will thank you.
Prepare for flu season early
Speaking of stomach bugs, it’s not too early to start thinking about those flu shots. It might still feel like summer, but flu season is just around the corner. “It is almost flu season again. Get your flu shots or Flumists early, in September or October, so that your body has enough time to build up immunity to the virus before the flu season hits,” Dr. Luu said.
At Urgent Care for Kids, the health of our children is their specialty. We all know that kids get cuts, bruises, ear aches, and fevers at all hours of the day and night, so we are incredibly grateful to have a resource like them who provides after-hours medical care in the evenings and on weekends. They believe that children – and us as their parents – have special needs, and that those needs are NOT best satisfied in a crowded emergency room for hours on end or in an adult urgent care center with little knowledge about pediatrics and kids. Don’t believe us? Go visit one of their four clinics listed below to experience their quality pediatric medical care, shorter wait time, and affordable cost. {A little known fact – if you go take a tour, they’ll even give you a Starbucks gift card as a treat too!}
Urgent Care for Kids – Katy
281.392.3033
23730 Westheimer Parkway Suite N
Katy, TX 77494
Urgent Care for Kids – Spring
281.357.0825
24230 Kuykendahl Rd, Ste. 210
Spring, Texas 77389
Urgent Care for Kids – The Woodlands
281-367-0010
1640 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Urgent Care for Kids – West University
713-522-6800
5215 Kirby Drive Suite B
Houston, TX 77005
We love all the practical advice provided for us from Urgent Care for Kids, and we’re excited to be partnering with them this fall in more than one way. For you new and expecting moms, save the date of October 21st for a special evening — especially for you!