Back to School: Navigating Germs and Illness with Colleen Shea

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Colleen Shea joins us to discuss how parents can navigate the back-to-school season safely. We cover managing common illnesses, understanding the role of fever in building immunity, essential hygiene practices like hand washing and cough etiquette, and knowing when to call a doctor. Learn key guidelines to keep children healthy as they transition back to group settings.

 

Meet Our Guest: Colleen Shea is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Salem Hospital and Fox Hill’s healthcare consultant. She advises: “Getting enough sleep... will also keep the body healthy and hopefully send off some viruses as well.”

 

Top Takeaways

• Illness is normal in a group setting; it helps the body build essential immunity.
• Fever is defined as 100.4°F or higher. Treat the child’s comfort, not just the temperature.
• Keep children home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

 

Helpful Links & Tools

Fox Hill School Website: https://www.foxhill-school.com/