Day care health risks

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Children in day care centers are more likely to catch an infection than kids who do not attend day care. Children who go to day care are often around other kids who may be sick. Respiratory infections, ear infections, and diarrhea are common at day care centers.

However, being around the large number of germs in day care may actually IMPROVE your child's immune system in the long run.

Teach your child to wash his or her hands before eating and after using the toilet. Infection is spread most often by children putting dirty toys in their mouth, so check your day care's cleaning practices. Keep your own children home if they are sick.

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INFECTIONS AND GERMS

Diarrhea and gastroenteritis are common at day care centers. This infection causes vomiting, diarrhea, or both.

• The infection is spread easily from child to child or from caregiver to child. It is common among children, because they have a tendency not to wash their hands after using the toilet.
• Children who are attending day care may also get giardia, which is caused by a parasite. This infection causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, and gas.

Ear infections, colds, coughs, sore throats, and runny noses are common in all children, especially in the day care setting.

Chidlren attending day care are at a higher risk of getting hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.

• It is spread by poor hand washing after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper, and then preparing food.
• In addition to good hand washing, day care staff and children should get the hepatitis vaccine.

Head lice and scabies are other common health problems that occur in day care centers.

You can do a number of things to keep your child safe from infections. One is to keep your child up-to-date with routine shots to prevent both common and serious infections.

• To see the current recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. At every doctor visit, ask about the next recommended vaccinations.
• Make sure your child has a flu shot every year after age 6 months.