As the back-to-school season approaches, parents, students, and educators face many uncertainties beyond academics. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the health and safety protocols of schools around the world.

But even before the current crisis, schools were known for being breeding grounds for a wide range of germs, viruses, and bacteria.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common viruses that lurk in schools, how they spread, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

The Flu

Influenza, or “the flu,” is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system.

The flu virus can spread through the air when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks, or through contact with contaminated surfaces like doorknobs, desks, or pencils.

School-age children are at a higher risk of getting the flu than any other age group.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu causes about 20,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths among children under age 5 each year in the United States alone.

To prevent the flu, experts recommend getting a flu shot every year, practicing good hand hygiene, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and staying home if you’re sick.

The Common Cold

The common cold is another viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Unlike the flu, it’s usually milder and doesn’t cause as many complications.

However, it’s still highly contagious and can spread through the air or by touching contaminated surfaces. Children can get the common cold several times a year.

Some ways to prevent the common cold include washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Stomach Flu

Also known as gastroenteritis, stomach flu is an infection that affects the digestive system. It’s caused by several different viruses, such as norovirus and rotavirus, and can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever.

Stomach flu can spread through contact with contaminated food or surfaces, as well as through person-to-person contact.

To prevent stomach flu, experts recommend washing your hands frequently, avoiding contact with people who are sick, disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated, and cooking food thoroughly.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection that usually affects young children. It’s caused by the enterovirus, which can spread through contact with an infected person’s feces, saliva, or respiratory secretions.

Symptoms can include fever, sore throat, blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth, and loss of appetite.

To prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease, experts recommend practicing good hygiene, washing your hands frequently, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that may be contaminated, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a viral infection that causes a rash of itchy blisters all over the body.

It’s caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is highly contagious, spreading through contact with the fluid from the blisters or through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

To prevent chickenpox, experts recommend getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with infected individuals. A single dose of the vaccine is about 90% effective in preventing chickenpox, while two doses are about 98% effective.

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, or “mono,” is a viral infection that affects the lymphatic system and can cause symptoms like fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and fatigue.

It’s caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and is often spread through contact with infected saliva, such as from kissing, sharing drinks, or coughing.

To prevent mono, experts recommend practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and not sharing personal items like drinks and utensils.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, often caused by a viral infection. It can be a life-threatening condition and is more common in young adults than any other age group.

The virus spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, or mucus.

To prevent meningitis, experts recommend getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with infected individuals.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a common virus that can cause genital warts and various types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and throat cancer. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity or other intimate contact.

HPV often has no symptoms, so it’s important to get screened and vaccinated.

To prevent HPV, experts recommend getting vaccinated before becoming sexually active, practicing safe sex, and getting regular screenings for cervical cancer.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver, causing symptoms like fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

It spreads through contaminated food or water or through close contact with an infected person’s feces.

To prevent hepatitis A, experts recommend getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding contact with contaminated food or water.

HIV/AIDS

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and diseases.

AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a late stage of HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged. HIV is most commonly spread through sexual contact, but it can also be spread through sharing needles and syringes or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

To prevent HIV/AIDS, experts recommend practicing safe sex using condoms, getting tested regularly, avoiding sharing needles and syringes, and getting treatment if diagnosed with HIV.

Conclusion

Schools can be a hotbed for many different viruses, each with their own unique characteristics and ways of spreading. While we may not be able to eliminate the risk entirely, we can take steps to reduce our exposure and protect our health.

By practicing good hygiene, getting vaccinated, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and following the guidance of public health officials, we can help keep ourselves and our communities healthy and safe.