Parents advised to keep kids with infections away from schools

As the new academic year has just begun, medical experts have advised parents to not send their kids to school in case they are diagnosed with infections and communicable diseases.

While back to school is a time for kids to make new friends and get back into the swing of schoolwork, it can also be a prime time for picking up germs and infections again.

If children  are diagnosed with infections, communicable diseases or other illnesses, parents should avoid sending them to school, unless they get permission from the physicians, said Dr Mohammed Rahmathulla Shafeeq, Assistant Executive Director of infection prevention and control at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

“Parents are least aware of the ill-effects of sending sick children to school. Sick children may pose a health threat to others as there is a possibility of other children getting infected,” he told media persons on Tuesday.

“All schools should have a clinic along with a nurse. If students are found to be ailing or showing symptoms of ailments they should be referred to the clinic. They should be allowed in schools after a family physician ensures that they are cured,” he said.

Dr Shafeeq highlighted the importance of immunisation and personal hygiene in controlling infectious and communicable diseases. 

“Vaccination saves students from the threat of infection and seasonal diseases. And parents should take extra care during winter months as children are more vulnerable to seasonable diseases from November to March like the flu,” he said.

According to Dr Shafeeq, simple measures followed in keeping personal hygiene will help in preventing spreading of infections.

“The best way to stop spreading infection is to control it. Dirty hands will spread infection easily. Proper and regular hand-washing with water and soap is essential for children as it ensures hygiene and averts infection,” he said.

Dr Shafeeq insisted that schools should have proper facilities that help students easily wash their hands and maintain personal hygiene.

“Sinks should be placed in a place that is quite accessible for all students. We recommend liquid soaps as soap bars cause infection to be transmitted from an infected child to others while it is used for hand-washing,” he said.