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It’s that time of year again! Whether you’re a teacher or you have children heading back to school, a few sick days are practically inevitable (for both you and the kids). Germs run rampant where little hands roam free and are often carried into the workplace by their parents, so be sure to stock up on sanitizer and know what symptoms to look for if you do feel the sniffles coming on.
Stomach Flu
A common viral illness among school-age children, stomach flu is usually caused by contact with rotavirus or norovirus. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting, headache and muscle aches, and fevers. The flu can keep a someone out of school or work for as little as one day or as long as a week.
Pink Eye
Pink eye occurs when a child comes in contact with a virus and then touches his or her eye. The white part of the eye, known as the conjunctiva membrane, then becomes inflamed. Common symptoms are redness and itching. Sometimes discharge and swelling occur, and on occasion, a sty will form. Pink eye is highly contagious, and even very brief contact can result in becoming infected.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, or HFMD, is most common in the fall, especially in preschools, as young children are more susceptible to contracting the virus. Caused by the Coxsackie virus, HFMD results in pimple-like bumps in the throat, ulcers on the tongue, and rashes on the palms and feet. Many children have a decreased appetite and a fever in addition to the rash, which lasts about a week.
How to Combat Common Back-to-School Illnesses
The “easiest” way to combat viral illnesses is to have your child wash his or her hands often, but any parent knows that “easy” is a relative term when it comes to your kids. Clean and healthy buildings have preventive measures in place to mitigate the spread of viruses. Facility Managers can do their part to stop the spread of viruses by hiring professional janitorial cleaners who specialize in thorough sanitation procedures.
Our environmentally friendly janitorial services company is available to clean your school or office day or night. Our products and services are always safe and dependable. To learn more about our company, contact us today!
