August is back to school time. Going back and especially starting school can be both exciting and nerve racking for children and parents. Parents are often concerned about their child having everything they need to do well at school. Preparations for sending kids to school often include getting school supplies and buying new clothes. Children’s health is also an important aspect of back to school preparations. Two of the best ways to help protect your child’s health are making sure his/her vaccinations are up to date and encouraging good hand washing practices both at home and at school. Vaccinations should be done before school starts. For information on what vaccinations are needed and where to get them call your pediatrician or call the Houston Department of Health at 713-794-9267.

Washing your hands frequently is the best way to help prevent the spread of illness including hepatitis A, meningitis, diarrheal illnesses like salmonellosis or shigellosis and even the common cold. Many germs are easily spread between people through contact with common surfaces such as door knobs, light switches, hand rails and countertops. You can also come into contact with germs by shaking hands with some who didn’t wash their hands properly or by handling an animal. Once the germs get on your hands you could infect yourself simply by touching your eye, nose or mouth. You could also infect yourself or even someone else by handling food before washing your hands.

Always wash your hands - Before:
• handling or eating food
• spending time with or caring for someone who is elderly or ill
• preparing or handling food for someone else

Always wash your hands -After:
• going to the bathroom
• changing or handling a soiled diaper
• blowing your nose
• handling or playing with a pet or other animal
• spending time with or caring for someone who is ill
• handling dirty laundry if someone in the household has been ill

How to properly wash your hands:
• wet your hands and then apply soap
• rub hands together vigorously and scrub all surfaces
• continue for at least 10 to 15 seconds, about the time it takes to sing Happy
Birthday
• rinse well with warm water and dry your hands

Instant hand sanitizers can also be used but should not replace proper hand washing. Teaching your children how to properly wash their hands is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent a trip to the doctor.

For more information on good hand washing visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/handwashing.htm or the American Society for Microbiology at http://www.microbe.org/washup/Wash_Up.asp
For more information on vaccinations visit the Houston Department of Health website at http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/departme/health/00sched.html