How Do You Stay Healthy Working in the Health office?

[Ash_Rox87CMA]

i am new to school nursing this is the first year i am working as a health assistant at a elementary school, absolutely love my job, but i keep getting sick off and on. i know it most likely due to being exposed to a lot of new germs and my immune system is trying to build up, but i was wondering do you guys have any tips or tricks to stay healthy while working in a health office?

i am taking my vitamins, washing my hands all the time, sanitizing my desk area and office, have an air purifier and i have still gotten sick a handful of times this year. just curious on what you guys do to help prevent getting sick and about how many times do you come down with something during the year?

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Honestly, you're probably going to get sick quite a bit this year. That's usually how it goes until your body can build up a natural resistance. You'll probably realize at some point next year that you're not getting as sick as often. Keep up with the fluids, eat healthy, and make sure you are getting enough rest.

I almost never get sick now beyond an occasional stuffy nose which is probably more allergy related. Although when I do, it's because the germs are stronger that what i have resistance to, so it's usually a doozy.

[mc3, ASN, RN]

Good question!! I am home sick for the second day with a bad cold and laryngitis! I have been diligent about washing my hands and using santizer on all hard surfaces. I feel terrible about being out but if I can't talk, I'm not doing anybody any good. I just started at this school and I love it so far! I sure hope they understand...................

mc3:nurse: (cough, cough...)

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

As I sit here, typing a reply, I'm having to reach over to the side of my desk for a tissue to wipe my runny nose! I started school nursing at an elementary school in September and I've been sick several times too. A few colds and a few more tummy bugs...I guess it goes with the job description! What bothers me the most is that my 14 month old has been sick more...she's had several bouts of bronchitis, and stomach bugs, and she was diagnosed with RSV last month. Before I started here, she was a fairly healthy baby! It's also that "time of year" so everyone is getting sick!

[safarirn]

Be prepared to get EVERY bug that is circulating in your school for the next year.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

First year I was sick, sick, sick. Pink eye, several colds, pneumonia. It just went on and on. Now-I never get sick. Haven't taken a sick day in the past 2 years. Not sure what to tell you except once your immune system gets used to the local crud, you'll be better. Take care of yourself this year.

[bergren]

The advantage for your 14 month old is that she is building her immunity too and won't be getting sick as often when she starts school.

[LACA, BSN, LPN, RN]

That is true, and I'm very thankful for that!! She has had several little "bugs" in the last months, but she bounces back fairly quickly (except the RSV, which kept her down for almost 2 weeks!). A couple who is friends of ours have two kids, they pretty much isolated their kids from the public and all other kids until they had to start school "to keep them from getting sick". When their little boy started kindergarten, he was out at least two days a week all year long because he stayed so sick. He also gave every little bug to their younger daughter, who stayed sick a lot too. I'm in no way irresponsible with my daughter as far as protecting her from getting things, but germs aren't going to kill her, if she gets a little cold, it will build her immunity and she will be better off when she starts school. I'm not overly demanding on sanitizer and stuff like that with her, and maybe that's wrong of me, but she's done great so far.