School is back, so are the unending flu infections: how to survive

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If your child turns into a walking germ factory the minute schools reopen, you’re not alone. Carol, a battle-hardened mom, swears she only knows peace (and clear sinuses) during school holidays. Otherwise, it’s a constant loop of sniffles, coughs, and suspicious side-eyes from colleagues every time she lets out a “rocket cough” at the office.

Sound familiar? Here’s your go-to guide on how to dodge the constant flu when you’ve got children in school.

Brew the Magic Potion (a.k.a. Dawa Tea)

When multivitamins start feeling like chemical warfare, do like mom-of-three Sapienta Mudhoola and go herbal.

Her family’s morning ritual? A teaspoon of Dawa tea—a spicy immune booster made of honey, lemon, ginger, and garlic.

Bonus tip: On Wednesdays, she throws in a dose of vitamin C—passion fruits or tangerines—to ward off the next viral ambush.

“We still get sick, just... less often. That’s a win,” Sapienta says.

Feed Them Like a Nutritionist’s Dream

Your child may want chips and soda, but their immune system is begging for Fruits, Vegetables and Lean protein.

Teacher Sharifa Kibedi insists that a nutrient-packed lunchbox can actually save your child’s academic year. Bonus: healthy kids focus better and miss fewer school days.

Make Handwashing Cool Again

Handwashing is not optional. Neither is sneezing into elbows (not air). Teachers everywhere beg parents to teach these basics at home.

So don’t send little Johnny to school with the flu. He’s sweet, but so the virus he’s sharing isn’t.

Let Them Run Wild (Safely)

Playtime isn’t just for burning off energy, it boosts immunity. So yes, send them outside. The mud will wash off.

Say No to Sugar Overload

According to Principal Gideon Kabenge, processed foods and sugary snacks = immune system sabotage. Instead, aim for real food that came from a farm, not a factory.

Consider Supplements… Carefully

Vitamin D and Omega-3s are the MVPs of immune support, says Dr. Ronald Mubiru. But don’t go rogue with pills—check with a paediatrician first. Your child is not a lab experiment.

Sleep and Water: The Underrated Superpowers

Nurse Mercy Natukunda has two words for you; Sleep 8 to 12 hours a night and hydrate with water and organic juices. And no, soda does not count.

Well-rested, well-watered children are less likely to fall apart at the first sneeze.

No Sharing (Seriously, None)

That cute moment when your child shares juice with a classmate? Yeah, that’s how the flu wins.

Nurse Esther Kiiza recommends teaching children not to share cups, bottles, or handkerchiefs. And parents? Please boil those lunch containers. That’s not “seasoning,” that’s bacteria.

You may not achieve a flu-free year, but you’ll definitely get fewer hospital queues, fewer missed workdays, and maybe even reclaim your nose from the tissue box.