Fall is here—pumpkin patches, crisp air, colorful leaves, and… the return of the schoolyard sniffles. As backpacks get filled with sharpened pencils and lunchboxes, they also seem to bring home an endless supply of runny noses, coughs, and the occasional wheeze. It’s almost like every classroom comes with its own invisible “sharing station” for germs (though, unfortunately, hand sanitizer isn’t quite as popular as trading snacks). For many families, back-to-school season means more than just new routines and after-school activities—it often marks the beginning of “respiratory illness season.” From the common cold and RSV to the flu and even asthma flare-ups triggered by fall allergens, kids are especially vulnerable this time of year. And while most of these illnesses are part of growing up and building strong immune systems, they can still leave both children and parents feeling worn down. In this month’s blog, we’ll break down the most common respiratory illnesses children face i...
If your family is anything like mine, the kitchen counter is the hub of your home. It’s where pancakes get flipped, dinners get prepped, and lunches get packed. But it is also where homework gets done, bills get paid, and laundry gets folded. That makes for a lot of germs gathering in the same place, and lots of hands touching them. While we may not always be able to control the germs coming into our house, we can take steps to control the germs inside our house and combat the nagging voice saying, “Did I leave that out too long? How old is this chicken? Wait, is this the cutting board I used for steak?” Before you roll your eyes and think, “Great, another lecture about washing my hands,” hang tight. While washing your hands is a major part in keeping you and your family safe while preparing and eating meals, this is more than that. We’re going to break down food safety with Karen Noonan, Supervising Public Health Sanitarian at CCHD. Karen oversees the food service program and has b...