SEATTLE — Kids share germs all the time, especially at school and daycare, and getting sick during childhood can be a common occurrence.
“I think parents need to know pediatric infectious diseases are a part of life,” said Dr. Frank Bell, pediatric infectious disease provider at Providence Swedish. “We little ones arrive without much experience to the world and all of the bugs that live in this world with us. It’s really an inevitability that kids are going to pick infections up.”
Getting sick actually helps improve kids’ immunity as they grow. Common signs of infectious diseases include high fever, illness with rash, diarrhea, vomiting and respiratory issues.
“One of our important messages for parents is ‘use your own instincts,’” Dr. Bell said. “You can trust your instincts. If you think something is wrong, it’s time to seek advice.”
To help prevent illness, including stomach bugs, this summer, be careful when sharing food and playing in the water. This includes taking a shower before entering the water and keeping kids’ diapers contained.
When cooking out or having a picnic, take food safety precautions. Keep your meats and vegetables separated on the grill and keep cooked and uncooked meats apart. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after handling food.
It’s also important to stay up to date on vaccines, especially before school starts.
“We got way behind, many of us, with visits to the doctor and getting up to date with vaccines,” Dr. Bell said.
If your child is sick, you should keep them at home until their symptoms improve. Ensure they are drinking plenty of fluids, and Dr. Bell suggests giving them a fever reducer if they are miserable with a high fever.
To learn more about infectious disease prevention and care at Swedish, visit the Providence Swedish website.
Sponsored by Providence Swedish.
Segment Producer Joseph Suttner. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.