Judy Harrison, a professor and extension foods specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, was quoted on CNN about avoiding back-to-school germs and illnesses.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, elementary school children get six to eight colds on average each school year. High school kids get about half that, but both groups are at high risk for the flu. Children are most likely to get colds in the fall and winter, because they are indoors and in close contact with fellow germy kids and because cold viruses love low humidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highly recommends students get vaccinated each flu season and for students to stay home if they are sick.
Harrison has conducted studies that show that most children don’t know how to wash their hands properly, as only 28 percent knew the right method. Properly washed hands cut down on gastrointestinal problems, as well as cold and flu.
“I teach them to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to themselves twice to make sure they wash for at least 20 seconds,” said Harrison, who designed the “Wash Your Paws, Georgia!” hand-washing initiative.
