Children & School Time Illnesses
Sick Kids in School
By
VRP Staff
Back-to-school time is a time when children are huddled together in one room with unavoidable exposure to dozens of other children, as well as dozens of viruses and bacteria. Children, like the elderly and those with lowered immunity, are particularly susceptible to common and emerging infections.
The common cold is a leading reason for seeking healthcare and a leading cause of infection in children, accounting for 23 million days of school absence per year in the United States.
- In 1994, an average of 4.5 days were lost from school due to acute and chronic conditions among youths between the ages of 5 and 17
- The majority of childhood infections -- approximately 80% -- are caused by viruses.
- Viruses such as the common cold and upper respiratory infections account for more than 20% of all antibiotic prescriptions for children in the United States, although antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections.
- Antibiotics help fight bacterial infections but in the process may cause diarrhea.
Diarrhea
- Children less than five years of age experience greater than 20 million episodes -- an average of 3.3 episodes per year -- of diarrhea annually, leading to several million doctor visits.
- Diarrhea can be extremely dangerous: Diarrhea is associated with 9% of all hospitalizations of children less than five years of age and an estimated 3.0 to 3.2 million children worldwide die annually as a result of severe diarrhea.
- In the U.S., an average of 500 deaths per year are recorded for children aged one month to four years due to episodes of diarrhea.
- Most diarrhea in children is caused by: diarrhea-causing viruses, food-borne bacteria, or side effect from antibiotics used to fight infection.
Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
- The most common bacterial infections treated with antibiotics are ear infections.
- Three out of every four children experience at least one ear infection by the time they are five years of age--and may experience several in less than a year.
Strep Throat (Streptococcal Infection)
- Streptococcus is a major bacterial cause of throat infection, and must be treated with antibiotics. Streptococcal bacteria exist in saliva, can be readily transferred to hands, and can be easily passed in the classroom via casual contact.
- Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, swollen glands and abdominal pain.
Rotavirus
- Rotavirus has been recognized as a common viral agent causing epidemic diarrhea since 1973. Transmission is particularly widespread in day care centers.
- One-third of children admitted to hospitals for diarrhea are infected with rotavirus.
- Infections with rotavirus cause more than 750,000 deaths annually worldwide.
What You Should Know About Antibiotics
Antibiotics are chemical compounds that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria; they are usually produced from living organisms, most commonly other bacteria or fungi.
Antibiotics are an effective treatment for bacterial, not viral, infections. Antibiotics function by dissolving the cell wall of the bacteria or by breaking down its DNA structure and by affecting its ability to survive and reproduce.
Some antibiotics kill bacteria directly (bactericidal), while others prevent bacteria from multiplying (bacteriostatic). Diarrhea is a common side effect of many antibiotics. Common infections often treated with antibiotics include streptococcal infection (strep throat), otitis www.(ear infection), and urinary tract infections.
School Time Tips for Keeping Your Child & Others from Getting Sick
- Encourage frequent hand washing during the school day, especially before and after meals or when using the bathroom.
- If your child becomes ill with a contagious infection, it is best to keep him/her home from school to avoid transfer to other students and teachers.
- Do not pressure your physician to prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection such as a cold or flu; antibiotics are ineffective in these cases and taking them may increase the body’s resistance to the medication, causing future infections to become difficult to treat.
- While taking antibiotics, consider also taking a supplement containing Lactobacillus GG which may help reduce the possibility of suffering from antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
References
1. Smith MGH, Feldman W., Over-the-counter cold medications: a critical review of clinical trials between 1650 and 1991. JAMA, 1993;269:2258-2263.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Internet site: www.cdc.org, 1/9/97
3. CBC Television, The Health Show, Internet site: www.tv.cbc.calhealthshow/pastitem/antibiot.html, Original airdate: I 1/20/95
4. University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, University Hospital, Antibiotics Often The Wrong Choice For Common Childhood Illnesses, 3/17/98
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Williarn L. Roper, M.D., M.P.H. Oral Rehydration, Maintenance, and Nutritional Therapy,
6. Ho, M.S., Glass, R.I., Pinsky, P.F., Young-Okoh, N., Sappenfield, W.M., Buehler, J.W., Gunter, N., and Anderson, L.J., Diarrheal deaths in American children. Are they preventable? JAMA 260:3281, 1988.
7. Dr. Greene’s House Calls Online, Are Antibiotics Always Necessary For Ear Infections?, Internet site: www.drgreene.com/960325.html, March 25,1996.
8. ScendTek Internet Corp., Darren’s homepage, Internet site: http:l/scendtek.corn/darren/quesl.html
9. Triaminic Parents Club, Internet site: www.triaminic.com/resources/vSnola2.html
10. Medscape, Ivan Oransky, M.D., Emerging Rotavirus Vaccines, Infections in Medicine
Newsletter Archive
Learn about the role of vitamins and nutritional supplements in your health by reading
past newsletter articles.