KDH News – J.C. Jones
“For area schools, this week marks the official end of summer vacation, as another academic year kicks off. Between figuring out school schedules, buying supplies and updating fall wardrobes, it’s easy for health concerns to fall through the cracks. But taking precautions and maintaining healthy habits is essential as kids head back into an environment filled with the germs and illnesses of hundreds of their peers, said Dr. Jamie Avila, a pediatrician at McLane Children’s Scott & White Clinic in Killeen. “I like to compare classrooms to petri dishes, because they really are just growing bacteria everywhere. I always say, ‘Kids will not share anything, but they will share germs,’” Avila said. Brandi O’Donnell, head nurse at Copperas Cove ISD, said whether it’s the common cold or an existing medical condition, like asthma or diabetes, taking preventative measures with a child’s health is a vital part of the academic process.”(more)