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Childcare and Illness

Keeping Kids Healthy in Daycare

By Donna Smith

With more and more children in daycare settings than ever before, how can we keep our children healthy? Not only are toys, blankets and cups shared, but also germs. What are the most serious childhood illnesses parents need to worry about?

"Children in daycare are certainly at higher risk for contagious diseases than a child cared for in his own home," says Cathy Giessel, a nurse practitioner and member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners and the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. "However, there is some evidence to suggest that the frequent colds children get while in childcare may offer some protection against asthma and allergies in the future." Giessel says this theory is known as the Hygiene Hypothesis.

Another benefit of more frequent colds in childcare during early life is the child may have less colds when he starts kindergarten, she says. And remember the dangers of secondhand smoke. "Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke from tobacco are at greater risk for colds, bronchitis and asthma," says Giessel. "Be sure others do not smoke around your child."

Giessel says communication with your childcare provider is a vital factor to your child's health. "Your childcare provider should communicate with you daily about changes in your child's health that may be of importance," she says. "A childcare provider who will pick up the phone to let you know about fever or serious accidents is crucial. You should feel comfortable to drop by the childcare setting at any time to check on your child."

"The most serious illness facing your child will be the one that results in the most significant injury and long-term detriment, says Giessel. And she points out that there is no general list that can be compiled because each person is vulnerable in different ways.

And handwashing is key. "Frequent handwashing is the key to preventing many contagious diseases," says Giessel. "A childcare provider that washes their hands after diapering children and wiping runny noses is your ally. There are numerous communicable diseases that are vaccine preventable. These diseases could be spread readily in a daycare setting."

According to Giessel, most American children are vaccinated to prevent hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, pneumococcal disease and chicken pox. But because of our increased mobility, it is still possible to be exposed to an unvaccinated child with one of these illnesses, so following the recommended vaccination schedules is important for a child in daycare settings. Giessel says influenza immunization is also recommended annually for children under 2 years of age and those with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

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• Talk about it!