Germs at Daycare and School: Preventing Infections

Every new school year brings the same scenario: a child in great shape who starts daycare or school, followed by a string of colds, runny noses, and days spent at home. The germs at daycare and in school settings, infections spread quickly because young children are in close contact with one another, share toys and surfaces, and haven’t yet developed good hygiene habits. This guide explains why these infections are so common, which ones are most prevalent, how to reduce transmission with simple steps, when to keep your child home, and when it’s best to see a doctor. The goal isn’t to dramatize a normal occurrence, but to give you the tools you need to get through the season with greater peace of mind.

On this page

• Why Do Children Often Get Sick?
• The Most Common Infections
• Hand hygiene: the number one practice
• When to Keep the Child at Home
• When to See a Professional
• Strengthening a Child's Immune System
• Limiting Transmission at Home
• Myths and misconceptions
• Frequently asked questions

Why Do Children Often Get Sick?

Visit incidence of infections in early childhood is due to a combination of factors. A young child’s immune system is still learning: each virus encountered is often a first, and it takes time to build up a repertoire of defenses. At the same time, life in a group setting increases the number of contacts and opportunities for transmission.

What promotes the spread of microbes

• A young immune system that is still learning to recognize most viruses
• Close contact: playing, hugging, putting objects in the mouth
• Sharing toys, crayons, and common areas
• Hygiene habits that young children have not yet fully mastered
• The cold season, when we tend to spend more time indoors together

It is normal for a child in daycare to experience several episodes of respiratory infections each year, especially during the first few seasons of life in a group setting. These repeated episodes, while stressful for parents, also contribute to the development of the immune system. Over time, the frequency tends to decrease.

The Most Common Infections

A few common infections recur season after season in daycare and school settings. Being familiar with them helps you recognize symptoms early and respond appropriately, without causing unnecessary alarm.

Respiratory and Digestive Infections

• Colds and Respiratory Tract Infections : runny nose, congestion, cough, and sometimes a mild fever
• Gastroenteritis : vomiting, diarrhea, stomachaches, often caused by a virus
• Seasonal Flu : fever, body aches, severe fatigue

Skin and Eye Infections and Parasites

• Conjunctivitis : red eye, watery eyes, sticky discharge
• Impetigo : skin lesions with honey-colored scabs; contagious
• Strep throat (sore throat) : sore throat, fever, sometimes without a cough
• Head lice : itchy scalp, nits clinging to the hair

Infection	Common Signs	Common transmission method
Cold	Runny nose, stuffy nose, cough	Droplets, hands, and contaminated surfaces
Gastroenteritis	Vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache	Soiled hands, objects, and food
Conjunctivitis	Red eye, discharge	Contact with secretions; hands in eyes
Impetigo	Honey-colored crusted lesions	Direct contact with the skin or open wounds
Strep Throat	Sore throat, fever	Droplets and Close Contact
Head lice	Itching, visible lice	Face-to-face contact, shared objects

This chart provides general guidance, not a diagnosis. Many of these infections have similar early symptoms, and only a healthcare professional can confirm the cause and recommend the appropriate course of action. If you are unsure about the nature of a symptom, it is best to have your child evaluated.

To remember

• It is normal for a young child in a group setting to have several infections a year
• Most colds and cases of gastroenteritis are caused by viruses
• Colds, stomach flu, pink eye, impetigo, sore throats, and head lice are among the most common
• The symptoms are often similar: only a healthcare professional can confirm the cause
• Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact, respiratory droplets, and shared objects
• Hand hygiene remains the most effective preventive measure

Hand hygiene: the number one practice

Of all the preventive measures, the’hand hygiene is by far the most effective way to break the chain of transmission. When done properly and repeated at the right times, it significantly reduces the spread of germs both at home and in childcare settings.

How to Wash Your Hands Properly, Step by Step

1. Wet your hands with lukewarm water
2. Apply soap and work it into a lather
3. Rub all surfaces—palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails—for at least twenty seconds
4. Rinse thoroughly under running water
5. Dry with a clean or disposable towel

Key Times to Wash Your Hands

• Before eating and before preparing meals
• After using the restroom or after a diaper change
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• On the way home from daycare, school, or the park
• After playing with animals

Other practices complement handwashing: coughing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow, avoiding touching your face, not sharing glasses, utensils, or towels, and regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces and toys. When soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be a good alternative—unless your hands are visibly dirty.

To remember

• Handwashing is the most effective preventive measure
• Scrub for at least twenty seconds, covering all surfaces
• Wash your hands at key times throughout the day
• Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow
• Avoid sharing glasses, utensils, and napkins
• Hand sanitizer works in a pinch, but not on dirty hands

Is there a symptom in your child that concerns you? Our professionals can evaluate it and provide guidance. Please appointment, choose a online consultation No matter where you are in Quebec, or discover our Solutions for Businesses and Childcare Facilities.

When to Keep the Child at Home

Deciding whether or not to keep a child at home isn't always easy. A few General Guidelines These guidelines can help you decide, but each childcare setting has its own rules, and the parent’s judgment is key. The goal is to protect the child, prevent the spread of infection to others, and follow the setting’s rules.

Situations When It's Best to Keep the Child at Home

• Fever, especially if the child is lethargic and not acting as usual
• Vomiting or diarrhea: We generally wait until symptoms have subsided before returning to work.
• Conjunctivitis with discharge or impetigo until a healthcare professional gives the go-ahead
• A general condition that prevents the child from participating in everyday activities
• Any contagious disease for which the school requires temporary exclusion

A simple runny nose without a fever or other symptoms doesn’t always prevent a child from attending daycare. If you’re unsure, refer to your child care center’s guidelines and, if necessary, contact the Info-Santé 811 service, available throughout Quebec, which can direct you to the appropriate level of care.

When to See a Professional

Most of the common infections can be managed at home with rest, plenty of fluids, and patience. Certain warning signs, however, warrant an evaluation by a healthcare professional—sometimes immediately.

Seek medical attention if the child exhibits

• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or retraction of the ribs
• Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, no tears, a diaper that has been dry for several hours, unusual drowsiness
• A fever that persists, returns, or is accompanied by a worsening condition
• A severe sore throat, spreading skin lesions, or worsening redness
• Abnormal drowsiness, a child who is very difficult to wake up or inconsolable
• In a baby younger than 3 months, any fever

This list is not a substitute for your judgment as a parent. If your child is having trouble breathing, is having a seizure, or is rapidly getting worse, go to the emergency room or call 911. For a quicker assessment without having to wait in the waiting room, a telemedicine consultation for a sick child can serve as an initial triage when the situation is not an emergency.

Strengthening a Child's Immune System

We can't avoid all germs, but we can support the natural defenses a child with healthy habits. A child who is well-rested, well-nourished, and up-to-date on vaccinations generally gets through the virus season better.

Habits That Help in Everyday Life

• Adequate and regular sleep appropriate for the child's age
• A varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Staying well-hydrated throughout the day
• Active play and time outdoors
• Vaccination According to the Recommended Schedule in Quebec

Vaccination protects against several preventable diseases and is one of the most effective preventive measures. For questions about the vaccination schedule or recommended vaccines by age, a healthcare professional is the best source of information. Be wary of products marketed as miracle cures to «boost» immunity: the basics remain sleep, diet, and hygiene.

Limiting Transmission at Home

When a child brings home a germ, a few Measurements at Home help protect the rest of the family, especially young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Useful Tips When Someone Is Sick

• Encourage better handwashing for everyone in the household
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects more often
• Avoid sharing glasses, utensils, napkins, and washcloths
• Ventilate the rooms regularly
• Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow; throw away used tissues immediately

In the case of head lice, check the hair of people who have been in close contact with the affected person, and wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water. None of these measures is perfect on its own, but using them together significantly reduces the spread of lice throughout the household.

Myths and misconceptions

«Cold weather makes you sick»

False. It is viruses—not the cold weather itself—that cause infections. We get sick more often in the winter because we gather indoors, which facilitates person-to-person transmission.

«Antibiotics cure the common cold»

False. The common cold and most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by viruses, and antibiotics are effective only against bacteria. A healthcare professional determines whether an antibiotic is warranted, as is the case with certain streptococcal infections.

«Head lice are a sign of poor hygiene.»

False. Head lice can infest both clean and dirty hair and are spread through close contact. Their presence has nothing to do with cleanliness and should not be a source of embarrassment.

«A child who is often sick has a weakened immune system.»

Nuanced. It is common for children to experience a series of infections when they first start attending a group setting, and this is primarily a sign that their immune system is still developing. If the episodes seem unusually severe or frequent, it’s worth talking to a healthcare professional.

«Hand sanitizer is still no substitute for washing your hands»

Nuanced. Hand sanitizer is a good alternative when soap and water aren't available, but it's less effective on visibly dirty hands and against certain germs. Washing with soap and water remains the gold standard.

Frequently asked questions

How many infections per year are normal for a child in daycare?

It is common for a young child in a group setting to experience several episodes of respiratory infections each year, especially during the first few seasons. The frequency generally decreases over time as the child’s immune system develops. If you have any concerns, a healthcare professional can reassure you.

Should you keep your child home from school just because of a runny nose?

Not necessarily. A runny nose without a fever or general discomfort does not always prevent a child from attending daycare. Instead, keep your child home if they have a fever, are vomiting, have diarrhea, or are generally unwell. Please refer to your daycare center’s guidelines.

How do you properly wash a young child's hands?

Wet your hands, apply soap, rub all surfaces for at least twenty seconds, rinse under running water, and dry with a clean towel. Turning it into a game or counting aloud helps young children stick to the recommended time.

Are lice dangerous?

Head lice do not spread disease, but they cause itching and spread easily through close contact. Treat them according to the recommendations, check family members for lice, and wash recently used bedding and clothing in hot water. A professional can advise you on the best course of action.

When should you see a doctor for conjunctivitis?

A red eye with excessive discharge, pain, decreased vision, or a condition that does not improve warrants an evaluation. A healthcare professional can determine the cause and recommend the appropriate course of action, as well as indicate when it is safe to return to daycare.

Does vaccination protect against daycare colds?

Vaccination protects against several preventable diseases, but not against the common cold, which is caused by many different viruses. It remains an essential preventive measure. If you have questions about the recommended vaccination schedule in Quebec, consult a healthcare professional.

Sources

1. Canadian Paediatric Society
2. Caring for Our Children — Canadian Pediatric Society
3. Québec.ca — Handwashing
4. Quebec National Institute of Public Health (INSPQ)
5. Info-Santé 811 — Government of Quebec
6. Quebec.ca — Vaccination

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