As summer fades and a new school term begins, parents often brace themselves for the inevitable wave of germs that children bring home from school. The transition back to the classroom can be fraught with anxiety, as kids return to close quarters, sharing not just books and supplies but also a host of infectious agents. The combination of indoor gatherings and the mixing of students who may not have seen each other for months creates an environment ripe for the spread of illnesses.

This period is particularly concerning as children are known to be effective carriers of germs, often without even realising it. It’s essential for parents to equip themselves with knowledge and strategies to minimize the chances of illness affecting their families during this time.

To shed light on how to navigate this germ-laden season, we turn to an expert in the field. Professor Sheena Cruickshank, an immunologist at the University of Manchester, shares her insights on the challenges of back-to-school germs and offers practical advice. “When you drop your kids off at school, you are expecting to see a lot of infections over the weeks that follow,” she explains.

The change in environment plays a significant role, as children return to close quarters with peers after a long break. “One of the biggest reasons why people start getting ill now is the fact that we are all moving indoors. It’s much easier for infections to get to lots of noses, throats and tummies if we’re all in a small indoors spaces together,” she notes. This close contact, combined with new students mixing together, increases the likelihood of spreading infections.

To help navigate this germ-laden season, Professor Cruickshank offers several practical tips:

1. Stay up to date with vaccines: “Making sure that your children are up-to-date with the vaccinations is the number one thing that we can do in order to keep illnesses at bay. If there are vaccinations available to prevent certain infections, then that would be absolutely fundamental.”

2. Practice good hygiene: Maintaining proper hygiene is crucial Sneeze into a tissue and throw it away, encouraging your children to do the same. Instead of coughing into your hands, use your arm, and remember that regular handwashing is crucial to limit the spread of germs.

3. Conduct mini risk sssessments: Before entering a crowded space, consider the environment. “Going into this season, I always look at the space that I’m going into and do a little bit of a risk assessment for it: how airy is it? How packed? How many air changes does it get? That helps me determine what my risk is.”

4. Vary your diet: A well-balanced diet is essential for a strong immune system. “It is a misconception that there are certain magic foods which can ‘boost’ our immunity, but a bad diet will negatively impact it.”

5. Avoid overreliance on supplements: While vitamins are important, many can be obtained through a healthy diet. The professor says there’s is no convincing evidence we should take supplements and cited a of people taking multivitamins who were no better off than those who don’t.

6. Prioritise rest: Quality sleep is vital for immune function. Making time to relax is essential. Whether it’s spending five minutes meditating, enjoying your garden, or dancing to your favourite music, find what helps you unwind.

7. Stay active: Regular physical activity supports immune health. Staying overly inactive isn’t beneficial for our immune systems. While it may be more challenging to stay active as temperatures drop, it doesn’t require significant effort to incorporate movement into your day.

As the school year begins, following these tips can help keep families healthy and reduce the spread of illness during this vulnerable time.