By Khalida Sarwari
As summer starts winding down, one thing that’s sure to be on the minds of parents and kids alike is back-to-school shopping. But one doctor says it’s also the perfect time to assess your child’s health.
“The start of the school year is a great time to check and make sure that your child is protected from preventable diseases,” said Dr. Keith Fabisiak, the assistant chief of pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente’s Campbell medical office.
Staying up to date with immunizations and keeping your children healthy now will ensure a successful school year with fewer absences due to sick days, Fabisiak said.
He advised parents to check with their child’s pediatrician to make sure their immunizations are up to date. Kaiser members can check their child’s record online by using the “My Health Manager” tool.
This school year, California students entering seventh grade will also be required to show proof of a tdap vaccination in addition to the standard school physical forms required for this grade. The tdap is a booster shot that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
“We have been seeing an increase in whooping cough cases over the last two years,” Fabisiak said, “and that’s something that can easily be spread from one child to another if they’re not vaccinated.”
Though the reasons for the uptick are not yet known, Fabisiak said it could be due to people either declining vaccinations, or in some cases, their immunity wears off within six to seven years after the first vaccination, which is typically done when the child begins kindergarten.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be dangerous for young children and deadly for infants. Immunization is key to preventing the spread of the disease, said Fabisiak.
Flu is another highly contagious disease that can be prevented with a vaccine. Flu vaccines are available starting in October. Fabisiak encourages families to visit their pediatricians or the county health office to get the vaccine.
“The importance of staying up to date is it protects your kids from getting ill and it protects younger kids from having that disease brought home and having them exposed to it,” Fabisiak said.
A routine physical is another important step to take before children head back to the classroom. A physical can help detect any hearing or vision impairments as well as help identify any behavioral or developmental issue that may hinder a child from doing well in school.
Finally, Fabisiak encouraged parents to implement the 5210 plan: five servings of fruits and vegetables, no more than two hours of screen time, at least one hour of physical activity and zero sugar-sweetened drinks each day. They should opt instead to give their child water and milk.
“There’s basically a lot of kids that are overweight in the country right now,” Fabisiak said. “If parents follow this plan, that’s what they need to do to keep their kids from getting overweight.”
Back to school: It’s time for shopping, and checking up on your child’s health history
