Essential Back-to-School Health Tips: Keeping Your Family Safe from COVID and Flu

Back to School: Keeping Kids Healthy Amid Seasonal Illnesses

As students return to classrooms in the Coachella Valley, parents should take measures to protect their kids from seasonal illnesses. With flu season approaching and COVID-19 still present, local health officials are sharing tips to help families stay safe.

Recently, the new Stratus variant of COVID-19 has increased in Southern California. Experts, however, are cautious about predicting how severe this year’s flu season will be.

Laura Dyson, Director of Health Services for the Palm Springs Unified School District, stresses basic hygiene. “Washing hands often and avoiding touching your face are two of the best defenses against getting sick,” she says. The district follows state health department guidelines. Students with mild symptoms can attend school, but those with a fever, vomiting, or a contagious rash should stay home. If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they can return only after being fever-free for 24 hours.

In recent updates, federal regulations have changed who is eligible for the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Now, it’s mainly available for individuals 65 and older, or children with serious health issues. On the other hand, the CDC advises everyone aged six months and older to receive the flu vaccine, with very few exceptions.

It can be tricky to tell the difference between a cold, the flu, and COVID-19. Lindsey Valenzuela from Desert Oasis Healthcare suggests testing, especially for families with high-risk members. “Early testing allows at-risk individuals to receive treatment quickly,” Valenzuela explains. For those without high-risk conditions, she recommends waiting at least 24 hours after a fever before going back to school.

Local resources, such as mobile clinics, are available for flu and cold symptoms, often at low or no cost. Valenzuela highlights the importance of hygiene and staying current on vaccinations. “Make sure to wash your hands often, avoid crowded places if feeling sick, and get your flu shot,” she advises. COVID vaccines will also be accessible soon in the area.

It’s worth noting a difference in advice between federal regulations and recommendations from certain organizations. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly encourages the latest COVID vaccine for infants aged 6 to 23 months, regardless of health status.

By taking these precautions and staying informed, parents can better protect their children during this season of illness. Keeping lines of communication open with health officials and accessing relevant resources can make a significant difference in managing health risks.

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