Top 5 Illnesses That May Spread Through Your Kid’s School

At some point in every child’s life, there is a day spent at home sick while everyone else is doing fun school activities or playing outside. 

Days before falling ill, your child could learn how to make clay dinosaurs, sharing the same molds as their classmates. Unknown to his teachers, one kid joined the activity despite having one of the common childhood illnesses.

Thankfully, there are several practical tips that parents like you can use to avoid the viruses that affect your young student. Take a look at this quick guide to pediatric health issues, covering prevention, symptom monitoring, and recognizing when to seek medical attention.

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Top 5: Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

In the U.S., public school kids miss 3 million school days yearly due to pink eye.

Pink eye is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin tissue lining inside the eyelid that covers the white part of the eye. Viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants often cause this eye infection. 

Symptoms:

• Redness in one or both eyes
• Itching or burning sensation
• Watery or thick, sticky discharge that may form a crust
• Swollen eyelids and increased tearing

Spread:

Close contact, touching contaminated surfaces, and poor hand hygiene in school make pink eye spread easily. As schools reopen, it’s crucial to urge your child not to share personal items, as this can also contribute to spreading the infection.

Prevention:

• Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water frequently.
• Encourage them to avoid touching their eyes.
• Use hand sanitizers if soap is unavailable.
• Do not share personal items such as towels, pillows, or eye drops.
• At home, clean commonly touched surfaces, like door handles.

Seek medical attention when:

• Symptoms persist beyond a few days or worsen.
• Severe pain, sensitivity to light, or vision changes occur.
• Eyes are showing yellow or green discharge (could be bacterial infection).
• A high fever accompanies other symptoms.

Healthy Kids and Teens Learn Better

Keep your child healthy and in class by preventing pink eye! Simple steps can help reduce missed school days and keep them from falling behind.

Talk to an infant care specialist for more personalized tips on keeping your little one safe and thriving at school.

Top 4: Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

It is joint for children under the age of five to contract hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).

HFMD is a common illness caused by enteroviruses. 

Symptoms:

• Fever (often the first sign of HFMD)
• Rash or sores on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks
• Painful blisters or sores inside the mouth, making eating or drinking uncomfortable

Spread:

HFMD spreads quickly through close contact, such as hugging or sharing art supplies. This illness can also spread by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with enteroviruses, like toys.

Prevention:

• Frequently wash your child’s hands with soap after using the toilet and before eating.
• Keep your child away from sick classmates, and avoid sharing personal items.
• Disinfect commonly touched surfaces and toys.

Seek medical attention when:

• Your child has a high fever, severe mouth sores, or if the rash spreads or becomes very painful.
• If symptoms continue for more than a few days or if you notice any unusual changes in their condition.

Top 3: Strep Throat

Strep throat can affect anyone and is more common in children aged 5–15. It’s also possible to get strep throat multiple times.

The Streptococcus bacteria cause strep throat, mainly affecting the throat and tonsils. 

Symptoms:

• Severe and painful sore throat (often starting suddenly)
• Headache accompanying the sore throat and fever
• A red rash (or scarlet fever) in some cases
• High fever

Spread:

Strep throat spreads quickly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also pass through shared drinks, utensils, or other personal items.

Prevention:

• Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water.
• Ensure that your child does not share eating utensils or drinks with others.
• If your child is diagnosed with strep throat, follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment and ensure they complete the entire course of antibiotics.

Seek medical attention when:

You suspect your child has strep throat. An expert in pediatric diseases can help assess your child’s symptoms and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection effectively.

Early Treatment Makes a Difference

Strep throat can lead to complications and longer recovery if not treated quickly. Bring your child to our Fresno medical center for prompt care so they can start feeling better faster.

 

5043 E Cesar Chavez Boulevard

Fresno, CA 93727

(559) 455-1500

 

805 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93706

(559) 485-4000

Top 2: Influenza (Flu)

Between 2023 and 2024, the number of flu-related doctor visits has increased for children ages 0–4 and young adults ages 5–24. 

Influenza or flu is a contagious ailment caused by influenza viruses, including influenza A and B. This condition can lead to seasonal outbreaks.

Symptoms:

• Chills that often accompany a fever
• Persistent and dry cough
• Pain or irritation in the throat
• Muscle and joint pain throughout the body

Spread:

The flu spreads quickly through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also circulate when kids come in contact with contaminated objects and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Prevention:

• Get the yearly flu vaccine for your child to protect against the most common strains.
• Train them to wash their hands before eating or touching their face.
• Keep your child at home to prevent spreading the flu and to allow them to recover.

Seek medical attention when:

• Your child has a high fever, difficulty breathing, or persistent pain in the chest.
• Your child has underlying health conditions that may be affected by the flu symptoms and treatment.

Top 1: Common Cold

According to the American Lung Association, young children experience an average of six to eight colds yearly. 

The common cold is a mild viral nose and throat infection, usually caused by rhinoviruses. It is a prevalent illness in children, even more so in colder months.

Symptoms:

• Runny or stuffy nose, accompanied by clear to thick nasal discharge
• Mild to moderate cough that can linger for several days
• A scratchy or sore feeling (usually mild compared to strep throat)
• Frequent sneezing

Spread:

The typical cold spreads through direct contact (handshakes or touching contaminated surfaces) and airborne droplets when someone sneezes or coughs.

Prevention:

• Encourage good hygiene through frequent handwashing.
• Try to keep your child away from individuals who are sick. 
• Discourage sharing personal items.

Seek medical attention when:

Your child has trouble breathing, a high fever, symptoms that last longer than ten days, or if you notice severe or unusual symptoms. Call us at (559) 455-1500 for advice and a little extra peace of mind.

Keep Your Child Healthy Throughout the School Season

In supporting our children’s well-being and performance at school, we need to be aware of childhood viruses and spot early symptoms of pink eye, strep throat, flu, common cold, or HFMD. Recognizing the symptoms can help you decide if your child needs immediate medical care or recovery at home.

You can reach our pediatricians at Children’s Medical Centers of Fresno by calling (559) 455-1500 or clicking the appointment button below. We are dedicated to providing personalized advice on prevention, disease management, and promoting children’s health. 

Struggling to squeeze an appointment into your packed schedule? Take advantage of our after-hours and weekend pediatric appointments, available through telehealth or in person.

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