Infection Control Helps Keep Kids Healthy And In School by Lorraine M. Harkavy, RN, MS, CIC (NAPSA)—School absences seriously disrupt the learning process, according to a supplement, based on the LYSOL Healthy School Summit, published in the October 2002 Journal of School Nursing. Eightythree percent of teachers believe that absence dueto illnesses is their biggest obstacle in teaching, and with over 100 million days lost for children in grades K-12, the educational impact is severe. On average, each student is absent 4.5 days per year and each teacher misses 5.3 days per year due to communicable diseases. Now, there is good news for parents and teachers about boosting school attendance and decreasing the negative effects of missed school days, which include lost work time for parents. Participants in the LYSOL Healthy School Summit—whoare experts in the fields of infectious disease, primary care, school nursing and the household/institutional cleaning industry—concluded that an infection control program in school and supported at home will help keep your kids healthy and in school. A successful infection control program dependson the following: Proper hand washing. Hand washingis highly effective in decreasing the spread of germs though hand-to-hand contact and surface-to-hand contact. Schoolage children should be taught to wash their hands several times a day, especially before and after eating and after using the bathroom. It is also a good idea to have them wash their hands as soon as they come home from school or play to help keep germs out of the home. To help keep germs out of the house, have children wash their hands as soon as they come homefrom schoolor play. * Disinfect surfaces. Teachers and parents should use an EPA-registered disinfectant, such as LYSOL brandproducts, to kill germs on commonly touched surfaces in the classroom and at home, including desks, computers, door handles, countertops, keyboards, and telephones. Immunization. It is impor- tant that children receive vaccines according to the recommended schedule to protect against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, andpolio. In addition, consult with your family doctor to see if you or your child should get a flu shot. Parents—along with the school nurse—are key to controlling the spread of germs at home and at school. By teaming up with an infection control program, you can have a big impact on improving your child’s health and increasing school attendance.
