How Parents Can Shield Kids from Seasonal Germs as School Starts
Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar of Medical Express Clinic explains why illnesses spike when school resumes and offers practical prevention tips.
A surge of respiratory infections, including flu A, COVID-19 and other viruses, has driven emergency department activity up by roughly 20-30%, according to pediatric chief Manuel Baca of Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga. The rise is attributed to crowded events and close contact, conditions that will reappear as children return to school and spend extended periods together. Baca cautions that many children will arrive with runny noses and coughs, potentially amplifying the seasonal peak.
He advises maintaining basic hygiene, staying home when seriously ill, and prioritising regular ventilation of classrooms and homes to disperse airborne particles. Additional recommendations include adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, up-to-date vaccinations, and limiting exposure to tobacco smoke. Parents are urged to monitor for serious symptoms such as high fever, breathing difficulty, or persistent vomiting and seek pediatric care when needed.
