{"id":410814,"date":"2024-07-11T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=410814"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Start-the-School-Year-Strong-and-Prevent-Illness-in-Children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Start-the-School-Year-Strong-and-Prevent-Illness-in-Children\/","title":{"rendered":"Start the School Year Strong and Prevent Illness in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

(StatePoint) The excitement of a new school year unfolds each year when families flood the superstore aisles to buy classroom supplies, tape afterschool schedules on the fridge and organize carpools with friends.<\/p>\n

Common to each family is a desire for children to remain healthy, active and ready to learn.<\/p>\n

To prepare children and teens to be at their best \u2013 physically, mentally, socially and emotionally \u2013 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends regular visits with the pediatrician, as well as immunizations that help keep all family members healthy. Recent outbreaks of measles, a highly contagious disease, have shown how quickly some infectious diseases can spread within a community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to strengthen a child\u2019s immune system and keep them healthy is by getting them vaccinated,\u201d said pediatrician, Dr. David M. Higgins. \u201cAn illness like measles can keep children home and away from school and activities for days. Immunizations allow children to enjoy learning, playing and getting together with friends and family.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of June 13, 2024, a total of 151 U.S. measles cases were reported this year-to-date in 21 different states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These recent measles outbreaks<\/a> have affected unvaccinated people. Choosing to not vaccinate your children not only leaves them susceptible to measles, but also exposes other children to this potentially serious disease. This includes infants who are too young to be vaccinated and those who are unable to be vaccinated due to other health conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone in our community deserves to be healthy, and part of being healthy means getting immunized for all illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19 and, if eligible, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It benefits all of us if every child in our community is vaccinated, because it means that all of us are more likely to be healthy,\u201d says Dr. Higgins.<\/p>\n

Families can also stop the spread of infection by encouraging hand washing with children throughout the day. Help or remind them to wash their hands:<\/p>\n

Before eating (including snacks)<\/p>\n

\u2022 After a trip to the bathroom<\/p>\n

\u2022 Whenever they come in from playing outdoors<\/p>\n

\u2022 After touching an animal, like a family pet<\/p>\n

\u2022 After sneezing or coughing if they cover their mouth<\/p>\n

\u2022 When someone in the household is ill<\/p>\n

The AAP calls for the immunization of all children and adolescents according to its policy, Recommended Immunization Schedules for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger, United States<\/a><\/strong>. More information can be found at healthychildren.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour pediatrician can answer any questions about recommended vaccines and when your child needs them,\u201d Dr. Higgins said. \u201cThere is a schedule for their recommended timing because that is when research has shown they are most effective during a child\u2019s development.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photo Credit: (c) Userba011d64_201 \/ iStock via Getty Images Plus<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


Start the School Year Strong and Prevent Illness in Children<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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