My son had begun school in September this year in a Toddler Program so children can socialize with his own age group. It seems ever since he started, he seems to come down with some cold every three weeks or so.
Even now he is sick again and he was fine on 10/11 when we visited the doctor for his two year check-up. I called the doctor and told him how he is being and since he doesn't have a fever and just started to take a turn to worse and she told me its typical this happens when kids start school. He is fidgety, grumpy, coughing and sneezing but since he has no fever she can't see him until tomorrow. And yes, I give him vitamins every day but still... we never had these getting sick issues until Sept when he started school.
So is it true? When kids start toddler programs/pre-school/daycare it's like a communical disease center? :)
2007-10-24 08:44:46 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Get used to it! It's part of the way they build up immunities.
Hopefully he will outgrow the worst of it before he starts grade school and missing school would affect grades.
You may want to talk to your pediatrician about any supplements or other suggestions he may have to help him build up his immune system. You may also want to observe his child care center to see if it looks like they are doing enough to keep the environment germ-free. They should be using bleach water or other antibacterial cleaners to wipe down surfaces and plastic toys each day, as well as sweeping floors and encouraging frequent thorough hand-washing of all children before eating and after toileting. They should have plenty of tissues and be wiping runny noses, and they should have firm policies for isolating and sending home students who are sick.
If you don't like what you see at the center, ask questions, make suggestions, or look for another center.
What you are describing may also be allergies, since you said no fever. Discuss this with your pediatrician, too, and see if he can prescribe some allergy meds for your son. If it does seem to be allergies and they are chronic/severe, you may want to consult an allergist.
You may also want to invest in a health care book or stay on top of particular symptoms with a source such as WebMD. There are some contagious diseases, such as meningitis and the new staph strain that are very serious. Make sure you know what to watch for. Keep him up-to-date on all his mandatory immunizations, and ask the doctor if he is a candidate for a flu shot.
Good luck---that's one part of my kids' childhoods that I don't miss at all!!! (Now 14 & 21)
2007-10-24 08:57:26 · answer #1 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a rule, yes, it tends to be true. At some point, hopefully, his resistance will build up and ideally he won't get sick as often. When I was a kid, there wasn't pre-school and my grandmother watched us. My sister, the oldest, started kindergarten, and came home and infected the rest of us (4 younger ones) with all kinds of things, including chicken pox!My youngest brother was only 6 weeks old so my mother was quite upset.
2007-10-24 08:51:16 · answer #2 · answered by GEEGEE 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I disagree with the chicken pox and measles response. I know people did this in the past, but you should get the vaccine, not expose your child to them so your child gets sick.
And I know it's hard to have your child sick all the time, but it helps them build up immunity in the long run. Studies are now showing that some exposure to germs makes the immune system stronger in the long run.
2007-10-24 09:23:15 · answer #3 · answered by _scarlet_begonia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really is :). Toddlers (and small children) don't always wash their hands after wiping their nose with them, and the don't always cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze. It just takes one sneeze on a toy for everyone in a class to get whatever they had.
2007-10-24 08:53:25 · answer #4 · answered by Amanda 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is true. Very common. He is being exposed to lots of kids, who are exposed to lots MORE people, who are exposed to even MORE people (see where I'm going with this?). He hasn't built up immunities to every strain of every virus that he is exposed to. All you can do is train him to use germ-x (antibacterial gel) on his hands throughout the day and make him keep taking his vitamins.
2007-10-24 08:50:38 · answer #5 · answered by Sounds Painful 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yep, same with mothers group, swimming pools, beaches, parks, etc.
Comes with the territory. Kids play together and spread their littl germies.
Don't worry to much about it. His immune system will build up against the cold soon.
2007-10-24 08:51:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you have some good answers already, but I would also like like to add that when you hear someones child has measles or chickenpox arrange a play date. Get these early and your child will do much better, later in life can be more severe.
2007-10-24 09:01:12 · answer #7 · answered by Denny B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, it's a germ factory at school, but I always thought this was a good thing, so he gets (naturally) immunized.
2007-10-24 11:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by Level 7 is Best 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it helps build their immunity. Just stock up on tissues.
2007-10-24 08:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by EC Expert 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son and I are always sick now that he started school. :(
2007-10-24 09:23:53 · answer #10 · answered by ♠ THAT GIRL ♠ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋