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Before my daughter started daycare at 19 months, I could count on one hand the number of times she?d been sick. Now two months into the daycare germ storm, I?ve already lost count. It?s been a seemingly endless stream of runny noses, low-grade fevers, mysterious rashes and minor bouts of diarrhea. And from what I?ve gleaned from commiserating with other parents of toddlers, we?ve gotten off easy. A friend whose daughter also just started daycare had to cancel plans with us twice in one week: The first time because her daughter had contracted pink eye, and then again five days later, because she?d caught hand, foot and mouth disease.
Henry Ukpeh, a paediatrician in Trail, BC, confirms that it?s normal for toddlers to get sick when they start group child care ? as many as eight to 12 colds in the first 12 months. This is because daycare centres are ?the perfect environment for the transmission of viruses.? Many of the typical illnesses found in daycare settings, including the common cold, stomach bugs, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and hand, foot and mouth disease, are caused by viruses. These bugs are easily spread through direct and indirect contact between toddlers in close proximity who are likely wiping their noses, sneezing and coughing, while sharing toys and food.
Ukpeh?s best advice for keeping the whole family healthy is to make sure everyone is getting lots of rest and eating nutritious food. Always wash your toddler?s hands as soon as you get hom...