UAB doctors provide health tips for children in daycare

Doctors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are providing guidance for parents as children return to daycare, noting that frequent illnesses are a normal part of childhood that help train the immune system.

Research indicates that respiratory illnesses often spike during the first few months of daycare attendance before gradually declining. Common seasonal viruses include rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and parainfluenza during fall and winter, while gastrointestinal viruses like norovirus and rotavirus are more prevalent in warmer months. Most daycare-related illnesses are viral rather than bacterial.

To help reduce the spread of germs, medical experts recommend teaching children hygiene habits such as regular handwashing and covering coughs. Additionally, caregivers are encouraged to provide balanced nutrition, maintain routine well-child visits, and stay current with recommended vaccinations, including the annual influenza vaccine, to reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization.