Back to School Means Back to Germs

The excitement of a new school year also brings something less welcome: an increase in colds, stomach bugs and other contagious illnesses. 

When hundreds of students spend hours together in classrooms, cafeterias, gyms and school buses, germs can spread quickly despite schools’ best cleaning efforts. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), school-age children experience an average of six to eight colds each year, making respiratory illnesses one of the leading causes of missed school days. Frequent hand-to-face contact and close interaction with classmates create the perfect environment for viruses and bacteria to circulate. 

Dr. Jay Marque, owner and medical director of Lake Charles Urgent Care, says many parents underestimate how easily germs spread during the school day. “Many illnesses are spread through contaminated hands and frequently touched surfaces. Students touch desks, door handles, keyboards, water fountains, sports equipment and countless other shared items throughout the day. If they then touch their eyes, nose or mouth before washing their hands, germs have an easy way into the body.” 

While schools work hard to disinfect classrooms, preventing illness ultimately depends on good hygiene habits. “The reality is that teachers can’t monitor every student’s handwashing throughout the day,” Dr. Marque says. “That’s why it’s so important for parents to reinforce those habits at home until they become second nature.” 

Dr. Marque says families should also be aware of some of the biggest “germ hot spots” students encounter each day. 

School Buses: School buses transport dozens of students in close quarters each day. Handrails, seat backs and windows are touched repeatedly, and backpacks placed on bus floors can carry germs back into the home. 

Classrooms: Students constantly share materials, pass papers, borrow supplies and touch common surfaces such as desks, keyboards, light switches and door handles. These high-touch areas can harbor germs throughout the day if students don’t practice good hand hygiene. 

Lunchrooms: The cafeteria combines crowded seating, shared tables and frequent hand-to-mouth contact. Children may also share snacks or drinks, making lunchtime one of the easiest opportunities for illnesses to spread. 

Locker Rooms and Athletic Facilities: Sports equipment, locker room benches, weight equipment, wrestling mats and shared protective gear are all high-touch surfaces. Cuts, scrapes and close physical contact during sports can also increase the risk of certain skin infections if proper hygiene isn’t practiced. 

Band Rooms: Shared musical instruments, particularly brass and woodwind instruments, can harbor bacteria if they are not cleaned regularly. Students should always use their own mouthpiece whenever possible and follow recommended cleaning procedures. 

Although parents can’t control every situation their children encounter at school, they can help establish healthy routines that significantly reduce the risk of illness. 

“Children learn by repetition,” says Dr. Marque. “The more parents talk about handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and not sharing drinks or utensils, the more likely those behaviors become everyday habits.” 

Dr. Marque recommends these simple prevention tips: 

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom and before eating. 

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren’t available. 

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of the elbow—not hands. 

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. 

• Pack personal school supplies when possible to reduce sharing. 

• Remind children not to share food, drinks, water bottles or eating utensils. 

• Keep backpacks off the floor whenever practical and avoid placing them on kitchen counters or dining tables once home. 

• Clean reusable water bottles, lunch containers and sports equipment regularly. 

• Student athletes should avoid sharing towels, helmets and other personal gear and should shower promptly after practices or games. 

• Children who play musical instruments should clean them according to manufacturer recommendations and avoid sharing mouthpieces. 

• Parents should also keep children home if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea or other symptoms of a contagious illness. Returning to school too soon not only slows recovery but also increases the risk of spreading illness to classmates and teachers. 

“Simple habits really do make a difference,” stresses Dr. Marque. “Teaching children how to protect themselves—and others—helps keep classrooms healthier and gives everyone a better chance of enjoying a successful school year.” 

Lake Charles Urgent Care has two convenient locations on Ryan Street and Country Club Road, providing walk-in care for illnesses, minor injuries and other non-emergency medical needs throughout the year. Learn more at lakecharlesurgentcare.com.