ThedaCare Expert: Vaccination, Hygiene, Sleep, Nutrition are Keys to Health

Now that school is back in session, ThedaCare is reminding parents and guardians about ways to help keep the kids in class and off the sickbed.

“From vaccination and good hygiene to proper sleep and nutrition, families can take many steps to help keep children healthy,” said Sarah Bauwens, a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner at ThedaCare Physicians-Appleton North. “Studies show that students who miss too many school days are more likely to need more support academically.”

Sarah Bauwens

Vaccines

Staying on top of immunizations is crucial in helping to help keep kids well, Bauwens said.

Vaccines may help protect kids from serious diseases, prevent outbreaks within schools and contribute to overall healthier communities. Children receive an early series of vaccines from birth through 18 months and require boosters as they get older. Wisconsin state law requires school-age children to have certain vaccinations to attend class.

“It’s important for kids to complete on-time well-child checkups,” Bauwens said. “Your child’s Family Medicine or Pediatrics provider can help ensure they’re up to date on vaccines.”

In addition to the required series of vaccines, health care organizations recommend an annual flu shot for children ages 6 months and older.

Children’s immunization records can be reviewed using MyThedaCare or through the Wisconsin Immunization Registry.

Hygiene

“Good hand hygiene can go a long way in stopping the spread of illness,” Bauwens said. “Encourage your children to wash their hands throughout the day, especially after using the restroom and before eating. As your child grows, their teachers typically will help reinforce good hygiene habits.”

Hand sanitizer may help prevent the spread of colds and respiratory viruses but not stomach viruses, Bauwens said. Wash with soap and water to help halt the spread of “stomach bugs.”

“Teach children good habits around sneezing and coughing as well,” Bauwens said. “Sneeze or cough into your elbow — or ‘chicken wing’ — not your hands. You can also sneeze into a tissue and throw it away, following up with handwashing.”

Good Nutrition

Healthy eating is vital for a child’s growth, brain development and immunity, Bauwens said.

Encourage children to eat a variety of foods including plenty of protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and fruits and veggies. Getting adequate nutrition through meals and healthy snacks may help kids focus on learning. 

Healthy Sleep

Inadequate sleep can lead to problems with concentration and behavior. It also may make it hard to complete homework later or to participate in after-school activities.

“Screen use has only made the problem worse,” Bauwens said. “The blue light that screens emit can negatively impact sleep. Limit young kids to an hour or less of screen time outside of school each day. For older kids, keep devices stored outside of their bedroom at night.”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the following sleep guidelines for kids:

• Preschoolers (ages 3-5): 10-13 hours (including naps)
• School-age children (ages 6-12): 9-12 hours
• Teenagers (ages 13-17): 8-10 hours

When to Keep Kids Home

“While it’s important for kids to attend school regularly, some situations call for a sick day,” Bauwens said. “We want to be mindful of others and stop the spread of contagious illnesses.”

Keep children home if they’re experiencing:

• Fever: Fever is a common symptom of many illnesses and can indicate an underlying infection. If a child has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, it is generally recommended to keep them home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Cold and flu: Respiratory illnesses like colds and flu are highly contagious. If a child has a runny nose, persistent cough, sore throat or body aches, it’s best to keep them home until their symptoms improve.
• Stomach issues: Vomiting and diarrhea can signal a stomach virus or food poisoning. Children with these symptoms should stay home until they’re symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
• Infections: Certain infections, such as strep throat or pink eye, require treatment with antibiotics. Pink eye is highly contagious, and a child must be on antibiotics for 24 hours before heading back to school.

“Remember, your child’s primary care provider is here to help with any questions or concerns that may arise,” she said. “We wish kids and families a healthy and successful school year.”

Parents or guardians needing routine or sick care for their children may visit the Primary Care page of ThedaCare.org to connect with a health care provider.

About ThedaCare

For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. In 2024, ThedaCare and Froedtert Health combined to form one system to strengthen local health care and provide high-quality services for treatment and prevention in a coordinated manner.