Back to school: what pediatricians and infectious disease specialists recommend

There is of course the coronavirus, but not only. In order for the start of the school year to go as well as possible on this Tuesday, September 1, infectious disease specialists and emergency physicians at the Lenval pediatric university hospital encourage families to maintain hygiene measures and to reinforce the vaccination of children.

Barrier gestures remain useful

To guard against all infections and limit their spread, barrier gestures remain useful. Washing your hands, wearing a mask outside your home, sneezing into your elbow and using single-use tissues are therefore habits to keep.

“To help us better fight epidemics, everyone will contribute and thus limit the spread of viruses. It is also important to stay at home when you are sick. Fever, runny nose, diarrhea are symptoms who have to drive families to their GP but all other outings are times when viruses are spreading and we have to avoid them.” alert Diane Demonchy and Anne-Laure Hérissé, infectious disease specialists at Lenval, echoing the latest press release from the National Academy of Medicine.

Immunization of children

Vaccination of children is also, according to specialists, a way to fight against viruses. “We want to reassure parents, we are a very large majority of pediatricians and specialists who want the strengthening of vaccination against influenza and the generalization of vaccination against rotavirus in infants” insists Anne Rancurel, head of pediatric emergencies at Lenval.

The Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer has also announced that the mask will be compulsory for all students over the age of 11 on September 1, even when social distancing is respected. Doctors are also pleading to make it compulsory to wear a mask from the age of 6, but the measure is debated.