It’s back to school time! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children in daycare or in school can have as many as 8 to 12 colds a year. Talk about a germy world! Keep reading to learn how about the different classroom germs and viruses that can make your little one sick, and what you can do to protect them.

1. Conjunctivitis, or commonly known as “pink eye,” is transmitted by touching the germy discharge from someone else’s eye or touching a surface that has been contaminated. You can minimize your child from contracting the bacteria by making sure they do not touch their face unless they have washed their hands.
2. Head lice infestation can occur when head-to-head contact takes places, like when kids are studying in a group with their heads huddled together. You can remind your children to avoid head-to-head contact and to not share combs, hats or backpacks.
3. Flu season usually coincides with the start of the school year. The best protection against the flu is the flu vaccine. While the effectiveness of the vaccine varies each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all healthy children 6 months and older get the vaccine each year.

Read more ways to protect your children this school year from classroom germs at HealthMagazine.com.