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ExpertQA

• My son is just recovering from a cold. Other than a frequent cough, he is fine. Is it OK to send him to school?

  As long as your son doesn’t have a fever and is not uncomfortable, it is OK to send him to school.

• My child’s stuffed up and his nose won’t stop running. Should I keep him home from school?

• What’s the most important thing kids can do at school to avoid spreading the flu?

• I read the super-bacteria MRSA can be spread through athletic equipment. How can I protect my kids?

• What’s the most important thing kids can do at school to avoid spreading the flu?

• How can I get my child to eat the fruits and veggies I put in her lunch? How much is enough?

  It’s common for kids to dislike or refuse to eat some fruits and vegetables.

• What should I do if my child tells me that one of his classmates has bedbugs in her home?

  Be cautious and keep in mind that everyone has the potential to be visited by bedbugs. A bedbug infestation has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home.

• How long will it take for my child to get sick if he’s exposed to a friend with the flu? Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

  Flu symptoms can appear anywhere from two to seven days following exposure. Typical symptoms can include headaches, body aches, fever, congestion and coughing. Every child is different, though, so your son could display any or all of these symptoms at the same time.

• What medicines should I stock up on for the back-to-school season?

  You can’t prepare for every single product your child might need to use during the school year. You’re better off purchasing any special-situation ones as needed.

• I always put sunscreen on my kids before they head to summer school, but I know they won’t reapply throughout the day. If I put sunscreen on my kids in the morning, will it last through lunch break?

  Your kids need to reapply sunscreen depending on the type of summer school program they’re attending and the amount of time they’re in the sun.

• My child has seasonal allergies, and I want to make sure she’s safe and well-cared for while she’s at school. What does the school nurse need to know in case my kid’s allergies flare up?

  The nurse needs to know what type of seasonal allergies your child has, whether or not she’s been skin tested, and if so, what the results were.

• My kindergartner often gets ear infections after having a cold. Is it OK for me to ask the school nurse to check out her ears instead of making a trip to the pediatrician after each cold?

• One of my son’s classmates has come down with H1N1. What should I and the other parents do now?

  For you and the other parents of the kids in this class, the first thing to do is check to see if your child might have already come down with the flu.

• When your child says “I don’t feel well,” how do you determine if she’s actually sick or not?

• My daughter is allergic to eggs. Does that mean she shouldn’t get the flu shot?

  Yes, you are correct. The fu shot contains egg proteins, which could trigger an allergic reaction, including a severe and potentially life-threatening one called anaphylaxis.

Feature

• Team up With Schools to Fight Flu Season

  Schools are ground zero for the spread of the flu. Here’s what you can do to ensure your children and their classmates stay well this season.

• When to Keep a Sick Child Home

  It’s hard to know when ailing children are well enough to go to school or if you should keep them home. Here’s how to do the right thing.

• Checklist for Choosing a Safe Day Care

  These four considerations will ensure that you find a safe day-care center for your child.

• Healthy Lunches Your Kids Will Love

  20 tasty, healthy school-lunch ideas (and we’re not talking PB&J).

Blog

• Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

  Our school nurse lists the first aid essentials every mom should -- but often doesn’t -- have on hand.