Your guide to staying ahead of the germs, one clean surface at a time.
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The Need-to-Know List of Common Back-to-School Season Illnesses
When classrooms fill up, so do germ-sharing opportunities. The most common culprits?
- Colds and flu
- Stomach viruses
- Strep throat
- Pink eye
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease
These bugs are especially contagious in high-touch environments like schools, where hand-washing sometimes takes a backseat to recess.
How Germs Travel Faster Than the School Bus
Germs are social creatures. They spread through:
Shared surfaces: Desks, water fountains, door handles
Airborne particles: Sneezes and coughs in close quarters
Hands-on learning: Think group projects, playground gear, art supplies
All it takes is one “forgot to wash my hands” moment for germs to hitch a ride from one backpack to the next.
Easy Hygiene Routines for Kids
Start the school year strong with daily habits that stick.
- Wash hands for 20 seconds (sing the ABCs).
- Keep tissues in backpacks and lunchboxes.
- Use your arm to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing (like a vampire).
- Change clothes after school to shake off lingering bacteria.
- Wipe down phones, tablets, and glasses.
- Carry hand sanitizer for moments when a sink isn’t nearby.
A little consistency goes a long way, especially when it’s built into the routine. Teaching your child these simple health habits helps create a stronger defense against illness.
Tips to Boost Your Child’s Immune System
You can’t bubble-wrap your kid, but you can support their immune system with:
- Plenty of sleep (9–12 hours for grade schoolers)
- A variety of fruits and veggies for essential nutrients
- Probiotics from yogurt or fermented foods (gut health = immune health)
- Regular exercise, even if it’s just monkey bars after class
- Less sugar, which can mess with immune responses
- Plenty of water
Some back to school sickness is unavoidable, but keeping your kiddo well hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly are sure to help keep them healthier throughout the school year.
Keep Supplies & School Gear Clean (Without the Chemicals)
Between rides on the bus and trips to the bathroom, your kid’s school gear goes through a lot in a day and picks up all kinds of germs along the way. That’s where we come in.
Lively’s line of probiotic cleaners is a game-changer for school-year messes. Our live microbes don’t stop cleaning when they dry—they keep breaking down grime and gunk for up to three days after application. Pretty smart for bacteria.
From backpacks and binders to pencil bags and rulers, our probiotic cleaners are up for the job. Each of our sprays is safe to use on all kinds of moisture-tolerant and colorfast washables. If you’re unsure of the material, start with a spot test in an inconspicuous place.
When to Keep Your Child Home From School
Nobody wants to miss school, but sometimes staying home is the kindest thing (to both your kid and everyone else). Keep them home if they:
- Have a fever over 100.4°F.
- Are nauseous, vomiting, or have diarrhea.
- Show signs of a contagious rash or pink eye.
- Don’t seem like themselves.
- When in doubt, trust your gut. And maybe a thermometer.
FAQ
Why do I get sick when I go back to school?
The uptick in germ exposure and stress that comes with returning to school can take a toll on your immune system, making it more likely for you to pick up whatever sickness is floating around.
How do you know if you’re too sick to go to school?
If you’re experiencing a fever (100.4°F or above), vomiting, diarrhea, severe sore throat, or any other symptoms that would make participating in class difficult, you should stay home to rest and prevent spreading illness to others.
How many colds a year are normal?
Adults average two to three colds per year, while six to eight per year is common for school-age children.
Here’s to a Healthy Back-to-School Season
Between packed schedules and packed classrooms, staying healthy can feel like a full-time job. But with smart habits, immune support, and a little probiotic-powered cleanup, you can make it through the back-to-school season without the pharmacy on speed dial.
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