CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - As students settle back into classrooms and after-school sports, a rise in seasonal germs naturally follows. Dr. Megan Collins, a pediatrician with Novant Health Dilworth Pediatrics joins QC Life to give tips for proactive daily habits to keep the whole household thriving.
Consistent hand hygiene remains the first line of defense: remind children to scrub with soap before eating, after using the restroom, and following coughs or sneezes, while encouraging them to cover coughs with an elbow and avoid touching their face.
Beyond clean hands, Dr. Collins emphasizes often-overlooked foundations like prioritizing 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, eating balanced meals, and staying hydrated to keep young immune systems resilient. Fall is also the ideal window to ensure children are up to date on recommended and seasonal vaccinations. If a child develops a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or feels too sick to participate, keep them home to rest and protect classmates, and reach out to your pediatrician whenever you are unsure.
To learn more visit novanthealth.org and follow @novanthealth.
Copyright 2026 WBTV. All rights reserved.