HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — "Keep hands washed. Try to keep their hands out of their around their face."
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Ginnie Prater says these simple things can help reduce illness during the school year. "Generally we say do not send your kid back to school unless they've been fever free for 24 hours. And again, just really good hygiene. I know it's harder with younger children, but teach them to wash their hands frequently, cough or sneeze into their elbow and avoid touching their face."
Dr. Prater says making healthy lifestyle choices is another way to ensure good health for children and adults. "Eating a healthy, balanced diet, choosing fruits and vegetables over junk food, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and exercising. children need about an hour of exercise a day."
ADPH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Landers says parents have a tough job. "And I think now more than ever, you know, kids are under a lot of pressure to achieve. They're under a lot of pressure to carry out activities. They're under a lot of pressure to be engaged with a group of other children and all sorts of things. So, you know, I remind parents, you know, you're still the captain of the ship, you're still the person that's running the show here."
"When our kids are sick, we need to keep them at home. We need to follow the advice of our health care providers."