5 Common Infections Kids Pick Up at School and How to Keep Them Healthy

As children head back to school, they are often exposed to germs and infections in the classroom and during extracurricular activities. Schools are high-traffic areas, making it easy for viruses and bacteria to spread.

At Wylie Walk-In Urgent Care, we understand that school-aged children are more vulnerable to illness during the school year, and we’re here to help you identify common infections and when to seek medical attention.

Common Cold

The common cold is one of the most frequent infections that children pick up at school. Caused by several types of viruses, the cold can spread quickly in crowded environments. Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, mild fever, and congestion. While the common cold is usually not serious, it can still make your child feel miserable and can lead to complications like ear infections or sinus infections.

When to Seek medical care: If your child’s cold lasts longer than 10 days, or if they develop a high fever, severe headache, or difficulty breathing, it may be time to visit Wylie Walk-In Urgent Care. We can assess their condition and recommend appropriate treatments.

Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that commonly affects children. It causes a sore throat, fever, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. While some throat infections are viral, strep throat requires antibiotic treatment to prevent complications like rheumatic fever or kidney problems. Because strep throat is highly contagious, it’s important to get your child evaluated quickly to prevent the spread to others.

When to Seek medical care: If your child has a severe sore throat with fever, a red rash, or difficulty swallowing, schedule an appointment with us. We can perform a rapid strep test to determine if your child has strep throat and prescribe antibiotics if needed.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye is an infection of the eye that causes redness, swelling, and discharge. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or allergies. Pink eye spreads easily in schools, particularly through contact with contaminated surfaces or close contact with infected individuals. While viral pink eye usually clears up on its own, bacterial pink eye requires antibiotics to resolve.

When to Seek medical care: If your child has symptoms like a red, itchy, or watery eye, along with pus or crusting around the eye, it’s best to visit us. We can determine the cause of the infection and offer treatment options.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection that mainly affects children under 5 years old. The illness is characterized by a fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks. It is highly contagious and can spread easily in school settings. Most cases are mild, but children can experience discomfort due to mouth sores.

When to Seek medical care: If your child has mouth sores that make eating and drinking difficult, or if the fever lasts more than a few days, it’s time to seek medical attention. We can help manage symptoms and ensure your child is comfortable while recovering.

Lice

Head lice are small parasites that live in the hair and scalp, causing itching and irritation. Lice spread easily in schools, especially in close-contact environments like classrooms and playgrounds. Although lice are not a sign of poor hygiene, they are highly contagious and can be difficult to eradicate without proper treatment.

When to See a Doctor: If your child has itching on the scalp or visible nits (lice eggs) in their hair, it’s important to check for lice. While over-the-counter treatments are available, Wylie Walk-In Urgent Care can help if the infestation is severe or if you're unsure of how to treat it.

How Wylie Walk-In Urgent Care Can Help

At Wylie Walk-In Urgent Care, we are dedicated to providing fast, convenient care for children who are experiencing any of the above infections. Our team can help identify the condition, recommend appropriate treatments, and offer guidance on how to prevent the spread of illness to others. Whether your child has a cold, strep throat, pink eye, or another infection, we’re here to help you get them back to feeling better quickly.

To save your spot for an appointment, you can easily schedule online through Click here, or give us a call at 469-992-9572.

For more information and resources about common infections kids pick up at school and how to keep them healthy please check out these peer reviewed resources.