Do You Know About the Back-To-School Virus Going Around?

Going back to school is always a fun time of year — fresh school supplies, new outfits and reuniting with friends. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings the latest virus going around our children’s classrooms.

Kids going back to school find themselves exposed to germs and viruses more often than when they’re at home. According to NSF international, as many as 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch can be found on frequently used school supplies, such as water fountains, keyboards and reusable cafeteria trays.

Thankfully, there are plenty of precautions you can take to help protect your child from getting sick — and just as many ways to help them recover swiftly if they do catch the latest virus going around their school.

10 Common Back-To-School Viruses

While going back to school has many positives, it also means kids are at a higher risk for catching the latest virus going around. Children don’t always show symptoms of infectious viruses such as the coronavirus (which causes COVID-19), so they could be carrying and spreading the virus without knowing it.

That’s why it’s important to monitor your child’s health by getting regular health screenings — especially before and during the start of each school year. We’re here to cover some of the most common and contagious viruses that peak when kids go back to school.

1. The Common Cold

Although colds can occur any time of the year, they’re more frequently seen in the fall and winter seasons. The common cold spreads either through direct contact — inhaling droplets containing the virus, or indirect contact — through exposure to viruses living on surfaces such as door handles and toys. It can survive on surfaces for up to two days, making it a high-risk virus going around classrooms. Symptoms of the common cold include:

• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Mild body aches
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Sneezing
• Stuffy or runny nose

Most colds don’t require a visit to your primary care doctor. However, if symptoms continue for two weeks or worsen, make an appointment to see your provider.

2. Influenza (Flu)

Another commonly seen virus going around during the beginning of the school year is influenza, more commonly known as the flu. Flu season starts in late September, peaks in October and typically lasts until May. You may have the flu if you’re experiencing:

• Body aches
• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Tiredness

While the flu and common cold share similar symptoms, it’s important to know that the flu can be a more serious illness for children, in some cases causing hospitalizations.

For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages every person 6 months and older to receive a flu shot from their primary care doctor each year. School-aged children can receive their flu vaccine as early as July or August to help them be healthy and well.

3. COVID-19

Since its first appearance in the U.S. in January 2020, the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has become a regularly seen virus going around schools.

While the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to no longer be a public health emergency in May 2023, COVID-19 is still around and evolving with variants of the virus.

According to the CDC, the latest variants of the coronavirus going around are KP.2, KP.3 and LB.1. You could have COVID-19 if you’re experiencing:

• Body aches
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headaches
• Loss of taste and/or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit us at your local AdventHealth location to receive vaccination.

4. Stomach Bugs (Gastroenteritis)

Another repeatedly seen virus going around classrooms is gastroenteritis, more commonly known as a “stomach bug” or the “stomach flu.” According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there's between 19 to 21 million cases of viral gastroenteritis in the U.S. each year.

Gastroenteritis can be caused by the rotavirus, which affects children under the age of 5, or by the norovirus, which can cause the stomach flu in children and adults. Symptoms often include:

• Cramping stomach
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Mild fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

It’s important to know the symptoms of gastroenteritis so you can get the whole-person care you need. The best course of treatment for a stomach bug is lots of rest, staying hydrated and eating gentle foods. If your child's fever becomes high, or if they seem dehydrated or if they have blood in their stool, we encourage you to schedule a visit with your primary care doctor.

5. Strep Throat

Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus (GAS). It’s easily transferred from one child to another through close contact and inhaling viral droplets when someone sneezes or coughs.

According to the CDC, strep throat — medically known as streptococcal pharyngitis — is most commonly seen in children ages 5 through 15. The CDC estimates there are several millions of cases of mild strep throat every year. Common symptoms of strep throat include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Painful swallowing
• Red spots on the roof of the mouth
• Sore throat that looks red
• Swollen tonsils
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes
• White patches or streaks on the tonsils or throat

If left untreated, strep throat can spread to other parts of the body. Untreated strep throat can eventually lead to:

• Abscesses
• Autoimmune inflammatory arthritis
• Ear infections
• Kidney inflammation or disease
• Rheumatic fever
• Sinus infections

The potential long-term side effects make this a notable virus going around classrooms each year. For a primary care doctor to know if a child has strep throat and not just a sore throat, they have to administer a strep throat test. A rapid strep test can provide a diagnosis within 20 minutes. Find a primary care doctor near you to schedule your child’s strep throat test.

If a child has strep throat, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help destroy the bacteria causing the infection. Over-the-counter medications may also be prescribed for pain management and to help lower fever.

6. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a virus going around elementary schools, daycares and nursery schools that you may not be very familiar with.

Mainly seen in children ages 5 and under, HFMD is extremely contagious and can also be passed on to older children and adults. Researchers estimate there are about 200,000 cases of HFMD in the U.S. each year.

HFMD is mainly caused by a bacteria called coxsackievirus A16. The virus can spread from one child to another through virus-containing droplets in the air, touching surfaces and objects that have the virus on them, sharing cups or utensils and kissing or hugging someone infected with HFMD. Symptoms of HFMD include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Painful blister or sores inside the mouth
• Rash on the hands and feet
• Sore throat

While there is no specific treatment for HFMD, the virus normally goes away on its own in seven to 10 days. Over-the-counter medications can be used to treat pain and fever symptoms to help you feel whole.

7. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus going around at the start of each school year that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. While it generally causes mild, cold-like symptoms in healthy adults, it can be a more serious condition in babies, young children and older adults.

Each year, between 58,000 to 80,000 kids younger than 5 years old are hospitalized because of RSV. For this reason, the CDC advises parents to vaccinate their infants either during pregnancy at the 32 through 36-week window if they will be born during peak RSV season, or after they are born and younger than 8 months from October through March. RSV symptoms include:

• Dry cough
• Headache
• Low-grade fever
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Stuffed or runny nose

In more severe cases of RSV in infants and younger children, symptoms may also include:

• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Short, shallow breathing
• Wheezing

Like most viruses going around, RSV is passed from person to person by inhaling droplets containing the virus, close contact with an infected person or touching surfaces where the virus lingers.

8. Adenovirus

Another potential virus going around classrooms this time of year is the adenovirus, which refers to a group of about 50 different viruses that can infect the respiratory system and other areas of the body.

While anyone can be infected by the adenovirus, it’s often seen in children younger than 5 years old. Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Ear infection
• Fever
• Gastroenteritis causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Pink eye
• Runny nose
• Sore throat

The adenovirus is another virus easily transmitted through close personal contact, inhaling infected droplets and touching infected surfaces.

Unfortunately, antibiotics will not work on the adenovirus. In most cases, your primary care doctor will suggest lots of rest and hydration, as well as over-the-counter medications to help reduce fever and any discomfort.

9. Rotavirus

The rotavirus is the main virus causing the stomach bug in kids younger than 5 years old. Although infection is common, every time a child catches it, their body builds immunity against this virus going around schools and daycares. Symptoms include:

• Dehydration
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea

Although there is currently no specific treatment for the rotavirus, there is a vaccine available. The CDC recommends children receive the first dose of the vaccine before they turn 15 weeks old and the second dose before they are 8 months.

It's important to note that kids vaccinated against rotavirus may still pick up the disease. However, they are less likely to get sick if they do become infected by the rotavirus.

10. Norovirus

The norovirus is another virus going around that causes the stomach flu. It’s considered the number-one leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the U.S. Anyone can be infected by the norovirus, and it can be especially harmful to children younger than 5 years old and adults over the age of 65. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms. You or your loved ones could have norovirus if you’re experiencing:

• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

Like the rotavirus, a child can pick up the norovirus through close contact with someone who has the disease or touching an infected surface. They can also get the norovirus through eating or drinking something contaminated. Because it’s easily spread, norovirus outbreaks are very common in schools: According to the CDC, there are about 2,500 reported outbreaks in the U.S. each year.

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment or vaccine yet for the norovirus. Most people start to feel better one to three days after symptoms occur. However, if symptoms worsen, contact your primary care doctor to schedule a visit.

How Do Viruses Impact School and Family Life?

Viruses going around school campuses can have a profound impact on a child’s school year. According to the CDC, more than two-thirds of students take at least one sick day each year, with half of them taking up to three sick days. That can add up to a lot of missed time from the classroom. Researchers estimate that school-aged kids will come down with five to six colds and two to three stomach bugs each year.

A virus going around a school can also impact a child’s family, especially if they live with infants or older adults who may experience more severe symptoms if they become infected.

For these reasons, taking preventive steps to keep your child healthy during the school year is the best thing you can do to keep your family healthy.

Prevention Tips for Parents

While there are many viruses to be wary of, there are certainly things you can do to keep your family feeling whole all year round. Preventative tips include:

• Healthy habits at home: Make sure your kids get enough sleep and eat a well-balanced diet to boost their immune system.
• Promote good hygiene practices: Teach children the importance of regular hand-washing and to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home when sick: If your child does become sick from a virus going around, make sure to keep them home to help prevent the disease from spreading to other students and teachers, and to get the rest they need.
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces: As viruses can live on surfaces like countertops and toys for up to two days, make sure to regularly clean these areas of your home.
• Vaccinate when possible: Talk to your primary care doctor about flu shots and other recommended vaccines for school-aged children. Vaccinations are the best way to keep your child protected from certain diseases, evolving strains of COVID-19 or the latest flu virus going around.
• Wear a mask during an outbreak: If you receive word that there’s a contagious virus going around your child’s classroom, follow whatever guidelines are set forth by your school and encourage your child to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth. Be sure to talk to your kids about the importance of washing their hands or wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.

What To Do if Your Child Gets Sick

Getting sick is never fun — even worse is seeing your child sick. We’re here to tell you what to do when they don’t feel well.

1. Assess the symptoms: Familiarize yourself with the most common viral symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, body aches, sore throat, upset stomach and fatigue so you can easily spot when your child may have caught a virus going around school.
2. Notify your school: Make sure to let your child’s school know if they’ll be home sick with a virus so they can ensure your child keeps up with schoolwork during recovery. This also lets the school know that there might be a virus going around campus.
3. Know when to seek medical care: If your child’s symptoms increase or if their symptoms last longer than normal, it’s time to call your primary care doctor. If you don’t have a primary care doctor that you know and trust, it’s time to get one for yourself and your child. Learn how to find a primary care doctor.
4. Provide comfort and care: As most viruses are not treatable with antibiotics, rest and hydration are the most important care you can offer, as well as over-the-counter medications for fever and pain relief.
5. Keep family members safe: Isolate sick children as much as possible from the rest of the family and make sure family members are taking extra hygiene measures to stay healthy.

If your child gets sick, rest assured that we’re here to help care for your child’s illness so they can get back to a healthy, happy school year.

Wishes for a Healthy School Year

A sick child is always a stressful situation for parents and guardians, but take heart, you’re not alone. Our primary care team at AdventHealth Primary Care+ is here to answer any questions about any virus going around your child's school.

Remember, prevention is key when it comes to protecting our children from outbreaks of the latest virus going around school. By familiarizing yourself with symptoms to watch out for and teaching your kids and family members healthy habits to follow, you’re helping them stay happy and healthy all year long.