CARING FOR YOUR CHILD • 2 minute read
Help your child have a successful school year.
At Cigna Healthcare®, we’re on a mission to help you and your kids stay healthy and well—physically and emotionally—at all ages and stages. Keep coming back as we continue to bring you relevant and helpful family health topics.
Test your knowledge about some common childhood illnesses.
Kids bring home a lot more from school than just homework—especially during the first few weeks. Every surface, every sneeze, every high five can spread the flu, colds, stomach bugs and more. Take this quick quiz to see how many answers you get right.
RSV—short for respiratory syncytial virus—is one of many viruses than can spread by touch and on surfaces like desks and doorknobs. Washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs like these.1
While norovirus (stomach bug) symptoms tend to subside quickly, don’t let your guard down. The virus remains inside your child’s digestive tract for weeks afterward.2 Another good reason for diligent handwashing.
Poor hygiene does not cause head lice. These pesky creatures crawl from person to person during close contact or by sharing items with another person who has head lice (think combs, brushes and hats.)3
Normal activities like talking, sneezing, coughing or touching an infected area can easily spread streptococcal bacteria—the cause of most strep throat.4 Confirming that it’s strep requires a throat swab at the doctor’s office.
Consult a doctor to determine if your child’s pink eye (conjunctivitis) is viral or bacterial. Viral pink eye can last for 3-7 days, and is contagious as long as symptoms are present. If it’s bacterial, they can usually return to school 24 hours after starting treatment.<sup>5</sup>
Consult a doctor to determine if your child’s pink eye (conjunctivitis) is viral or bacterial. Viral pink eye can last for 3-7 days, and is contagious as long as symptoms are present. If it’s bacterial, they can usually return to school 24 hours after starting treatment.5
The flu can cause high fever, head and body aches, coughing for days, and severe fatigue for up to two weeks or more. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older.6
