Halloween decor isn’t the only scary thing spreading through schools and nurseries at this time of year.
Bugs cause coughs, colds, and runny noses, and a few days later… sick parents. If you’re living in lurgy-land since your kids restarted school or nursery, you’re not alone. But why do little people pick up so many illnesses at this time of year, and what can we do about it?
The latest episode of Parenting Download features guest GP, Dr Nighat Arif, and Traitors star Leanne Quigley, who talk about back-to-school bugs, health anxiety and what we can do to help kids — and grown-ups — stay healthy and safe.
1. Why is everybody ill? And are you more likely to catch a cold if you don't wear a coat?
Falling temperatures and not wearing a coat often get the blame, but it’s actually to do with being inside more, says Dr Nighat Arif.
In other words, packed classrooms and staying indoors could be to blame for the surge of sickness at this time of year.
“The biggest thing is ventilation,” says Nighat
She explains that poorly ventilated rooms in large groups are ideal environments for bugs to spread.
Nighat says that, “when we are all back together again, recongregated into classrooms that could be 30 or 40 kids, we all bring our bugs back to each other.”
“Not washing hands properly and proximity to other ill people can also increase the chances of spreading germs.”
She adds: "We become lax on our hygiene as well…hand washing isn't so great. So we touch our nose and we touch our friends."
The result is that little ones pick up viruses that eventually make their way to other family members.
2. How many bugs is normal in a year?
Kids (and their grown-ups) might feel like they’re in a state of never-ending illness from autumn. But how many colds is normal in a year?
“We do actually know the stats around that,” says Nighat.
"We think that roughly six to eight coughs and colds are “normal” over a year.
"And that doesn't mean that there's any underlying things to be worried about."
She adds: “They get better and then they pick up another one.”
So what can seem like a lingering cold can actually be that a kid has caught something else and their immune system is doing its job.
3. When should you take your child to the doctors?
Parents know their own kids best and need to trust their instincts when it comes to health, says Nighat.
“Your gut is your sixth sense,” she says.
“When a mum comes in and says to me, 'My son, this is not how they would normally behave', that’s a red flag,” she adds.
So, aside from keeping an eye out for unusual symptoms, what are some things that parents can do to ensure their kids get the necessary support?
“Symptom diaries are brilliant,” says Nighat, adding that taking pictures of things like rashes can be a great way of helping doctors understand how symptoms change over time.
She adds that taking a video can be a useful way of keeping a record of a kid’s behaviour.
“Because by the time they come in, it’s changed.”
Other things to keep an eye on are temperature (anything higher than 38C), changes in appetite, rashes and fluid intake/wet nappies.
4. What can we do to prevent bugs and illnesses in kids?
While some bugs are unavoidable, there are simple things we can do to stop the spread, says Nighat.
Hand washing, ventilation and mask wearing can all reduce the risk of bugs spreading.
And if your child is sick, it can be a sign that their immune system is doing its job.
“I always say to parents, don't be frightened of the snot. The snot is what your immune system is doing. Your kid is doing exactly what they're built to do. “
She adds that a snotty nose may actually be an opportunity to talk to your kids about hygiene, handwashing and how bugs spread.
Nighat also says pharmacists can be a great first port-of-call for easily-treatable illnesses like coughs, colds and ear infections .
5. How do kids build their immunity?
So how does fighting off colds and bugs help kids build up their immune system?
“We build up our immunity when we get exposure to common bugs, common viruses, bacterias, et cetera,” says Nighat.
“And that's because our immune system is so clever and makes copies of it and says, ‘when that intruder comes back in, I know that’.”
She explains that your body will remember the same illness and be able to fight it off more easily.
She adds that vaccines can also play an important role and urges families to get vaccinated.
6. Health anxiety, and what it means for parents and carers
Having a child with a history of health issues can lead to a great deal of anxiety for parents and carers.
Leanne Quigley has two sons who were born prematurely and have ongoing health issues. She says that “if one of the boys get poorly, I'm panicking.”
In a recent documentary, “Is My Anxiety Normal? Raising 26-Week Premature Twins”, Leanne explores how her experience of raising her twin boys has impacted her.
She says that it’s important for adults to look after themselves, too.
"Look after your mental health, especially if there is a lot of hospital admissions or you've had a premature baby."
"I know NICU units do offer therapy sessions and stuff. Take them. I didn't because I felt like I didn't have [enough] time with twins.”
GP Dr Nighat Arif on why kids always have snotty noses
