Germ Warfare: Cenla Health - Alexandria, Pineville, Louisiana

According to the CDC, school-aged children average around 8 colds a year, resulting in the loss of nearly 22 million school days due to the common cold alone.The classroom and other shared areas throughout the school(i.e., lunchroom, bathroom, gym, etc.) are breeding grounds for germs that cause colds and flu.There are many illness-causing viruses and bacteria that can live 2 hours or more on various surfaces.For the health and well-being of our children, it is essential that parents and teachers aggressively address germ control in schools.

How are germs spread?

The primary means of germ transmission occurs from person to person by respiratory droplets of an infected person's cough or sneeze being forced through the air into the mouth or nose of people nearby.Many of these germs are spread by droplets that land on surfaces like a school desk or door handle that are spread by touching.

How can the spread of germs be prevented?

- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow area – sneezing into your hands causes spread of germs.

- The "Happy Birthday" song helps keep your hands clean. When you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water – sing the “Happy Birthday" song twice! (or for at least 20 seconds).Without proper handwashing, a infection can quickly spread among students, teachers, family, and friends. Teach children to avoid eating or touching their eyes, nose, or mouth without first washing their hands.

- Alcohol-Based Hand Wipes and Gel Sanitizers. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.

- Wipe down common surfaces with disinfectant. In schools, a lot of items and surfaces are shared - desks, books, pencils, food, drinking fountain handles, water faucets in sinks, light switches, handles, doorknobs... and even germs.

In a recent study by the AMA only 50% of those teachers surveyed reported cleaning and disinfecting their classrooms. This practice is highly encouraged to decrease the risk of germ transmission between students.

The CDC and its partner agencies and organizations offer a great deal of information about handwashing and other things you can do to stop the germs that cause flu, the common cold, and other illnesses.

Two popular websites for children to learn in a fun way are www.scrubclub.org or www.itsasnap.org/snap/about.asp.

Mary Benjamin is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Hardner Medical Center in Olla.