How to Practice Infection Control in Schools

With Arizona students heading back to school this month, it’s time to focus on cold and flu prevention measures for academic facilities. Elementary schools, especially, carry the most risk for illnesses as younger children are still building up their immune system defense. Strep throat, flu and colds run rampant in schools as germs transfer from student to student via shared surfaces.

It’s for this very reason that infection control is so important in schools. While a school custodial company can keep surfaces throughout the camps clean and germ-free, early prevention is the best way to stop the spread of sickness by education staff and students on proper hand sanitization.

The most convenient way to keep students and staff from spreading germs is by providing hand sanitizer stations using an alcohol-based disinfectant that is effective against most bacteria and viruses as long as the solution contains at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol (Berkeley Wellness). However, hand sanitizer is a temporary cleaning solution; kids need to learn how to properly wash their hands in order to keep from transferring germs from one surface to the next.

For young kids, this cute learning lesson about germs from A Mom with a Lesson Plan is a great visual way to show how water alone can’t kill germs.

Other great options for reminding kids to wash their hands include posters like the one above or songs like Washy Washy Clean. Germ Smart also has a reputable video discussing how germs transfer.

School officials can also encourage students to comply with state law for immunizations and vaccines. Parents and guardians have free choice for their child to receive immunizations/vaccinations. However, it is highly advised to comply with state law to protect other individuals within an educational facility.

Immunizations and vaccinations help build immunity against common viruses and bacteria illnesses. The properties in the immunizations are antibodies or dead versions of the live viruses. This means that if a child contracts a viral illness while immunized, they will have defense and immunity to the core virus. Because bacteria and viruses mutate, different strains can still affect children, so they may exhibit some cold-like symptoms, but the strain will not develop to the full-blown, dangerous version of the virus that can be a serious risk to a child’s health (Kidshealth.org).

If children are planning on participating in any school sports or extracurricular activities, most schools require a sports physical for participation. Sports physicals are similar to health check-ups and a pediatrician or family doctor can address any health concerns including flu prevention, bacterial infections and immunizations.

Back to school season is simply a reminder to be on guard to defend yourself and children from the flu virus. Infection control in schools is attainable and can help save the lives of many young children.

Looking for immunizations or sports physicals in Phoenix for your child? Phoenix Family Medical is a walk-in no insurance clinic serving families throughout Surprise, Phoenix, Glendale, Laveen, South Phoenix and Tempe. We have four locations valley-wide to serve you Monday through Saturday! Feel free to walk-in or book an appointment online.

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